Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Screening can detect it at an early stage when treatment is easy. This post gives you insight into the process.
What is lung cancer screening?
Lung cancer screening is a way of checking the lungs for early signs of cancer in people with no lung cancer symptoms. The goal of screening is to find lung cancer early before it has a chance to grow, spread, or cause problems.
Doctors suggest screening for certain people at high risk of lung cancer because they smoke, or used to smoke. Although screening is not likely to be helpful for everyone who smokes, doctors do think it might help prevent cancer deaths in people who smoke a lot or have smoked for many years (even if they have already quit).
Researchers have studied two types of imaging tests, chest X-rays and “low-dose CT scans,” to see if they are good screening tools. A low-dose CT scan uses much less radiation than a typical CT scan and shows a more detailed image of the lungs than a standard X-ray. Chest X-rays do not work for screening for lung cancer. But low-dose CT scans are helpful screening tools for some people at high risk of lung cancer.
Who should be screened for lung cancer?
For some people with a heavy or long smoking history, screening can save lives. If the following 3 statements are all true for you, ask your doctor about screening:
- You are 50 to 80 years old.
- You have smoked an amount that is equal to at least 1 pack a day for 20 years (for example, 2 packs a day for 10 years).
- You still smoke now or quit smoking in the past 15 years.
In addition to your smoking history, the decision to be screened should also consider these things:
- Your general health – Think about whether your health is good enough to get treatment if screening shows that you do have cancer. Your doctor can help you answer this. If your overall health is poor, lung cancer screening might not be recommended.
- The costs involved in screening – If you are thinking about screening, check about the costs involved.
What are the benefits of being screened for lung cancer?
The main benefit of screening is that it helps doctors find cancer early, when it is usually easier to treat. This might lower your chances of dying of lung cancer.
What are the possible drawbacks to being screened?
The drawbacks include:
- False positive results – Low-dose CT scans can sometimes show a “false positive,” meaning that it suggests a person might have cancer when they do not. This can lead to unneeded worry and to more tests. For example, people who have a false positive might need to have a follow-up full-dose CT scan, which exposes them to more radiation. They sometimes also need a lung biopsy, which is a procedure to remove a small sample of lung tissue. This procedure can be painful and can sometimes lead to problems, such as bleeding or a collapsed lung.
- Exposure to radiation – Like all X-rays, CT scans expose you to some radiation. Although the radiation dose from a screening CT scan is low, you would need to have a scan every year for continued screening.
What happens during a low-dose CT scan?
When you have a low-dose CT scan, you lie on a sliding table. The CT scan machine is shaped like a giant ring, and you slide through its center. As you slide through, the machine takes pictures of the inside of your body. The process is painless and only takes a few minutes.
What happens after a low-dose CT scan?
After a low-dose CT scan, you will get your result in a few days. Ask your doctor about the expected date of availability of the result/report.
What if my CT scan is abnormal?
If your scan is abnormal, don’t panic. More than 95 out of 100 people with an abnormal scan turn out not to have lung cancer. But you will need more tests to find out whether you actually have cancer.
How often should I have a low-dose CT scan for screening?
If you and your doctor decide that screening is right for you, you will need to have a low-dose CT scan once a year if your scans continue to be normal. You can stop getting screened at age 80 or once you have gone 15 years or longer without smoking.
How to reduce the chances of getting lung cancer in the first place?
The best way to lower your chances of getting or dying from lung cancer is to quit smoking. No matter how much or how long you have smoked, leaving is a good idea. Quitting now will reduce your chances not only of lung problems but also of heart disease and many forms of cancer.
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