Early Detection of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in both men and women. Though it is so common, it’s very difficult to treat because typically, symptoms don’t begin to show until the cancer is already at an advanced stage. However, if the lung cancer can be found at an early stage, it’s much more likely to be successfully treated. So, what should be done to detect the cancer early?
Smokers, including former smokers, are at a much higher risk of developing lung cancer than others. For this reason, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has a lung cancer screening guideline for those at high risk. Unfortunately, regular screening is only available to a small group of people who meet specific criteria. This avoids exposing people to radiation when it is not necessary since radiation can also cause cancer.
The American Cancer Society Lung Cancer Screening Guideline
“The ACS recommends yearly lung cancer screening with LDCT (Low dose CAT) scans for people who are 55 to 74 years old, are in reasonably good health, and who also meet the following conditions:
Are current smokers or smokers who have quit in the past 15 years. and
Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history. (This is the number of years you smoked multiplied by the number of packs of cigarettes per day. For example, someone who smoked 2 packs per day for 15 years [2 x 15 = 30] has 30 pack-years of smoking. A person who smoked 1 pack per day for 30 years [1 x 30 = 30] also has 30 pack-years of smoking.) and
Receive counseling to quit smoking if they are current smokers. and
Have been told by their doctor about the possible benefits, limits, and harms of screening with LDCT scans. and
Have a facility where they can go that has experience in lung cancer screening and treatment”
The Benefits of Lung Cancer Screenings
The main benefits of regular lung cancer screenings are that there is a much lower chance of dying from lung cancer and a much higher chance of detecting lung cancer early. In addition, the LDCT screenings can catch abnormalities like cancer in other organs that are in view, and CT scans provide much clearer images than chest x-rays. These yearly screenings are covered by Medicare and many private health insurance plans. However, regular screenings aren’t foolproof and should not be used as an alternative to quitting smoking.
The Risks Behind LDCT Scans
LDCT scans, however, also have several downsides. These scans expose patients to radiation. While LDCT scans have less radiation than a typical CT scan, it has more than a chest x-ray. This causes the risk of developing cancer in other areas of your body. Additionally, LDCT scans do not always catch lung cancer, and they often detect other abnormalities that look like cancer but are not. Once an abnormality is found in the lungs, additional tests may be run, such as more CT scans, needle biopsies, and even surgery to take a lung sample. About 1 in 4 people have had extra testing like this done, only to find that whatever was found in the LDCT scan was not lung cancer. While it’s important to be safe even if a finding may not be lung cancer, these additional tests can cause unnecessary complications, like trouble breathing.
Although regular screenings are only available to a small, select group of people, you can maintain lung health by avoiding products like cigarettes and e-cigarettes that contain carcinogens and are harsh on the lungs. If you experience any concerning changes in your lungs, such as pain or difficulty breathing, please contact your doctor.
**Disclaimer: The Team at CARE does its best to provide you with accurate information but have to emphasize that we are not experts. Please consult your doctor/specialist to see what is best for you!
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