Detailed Imaging Helps with Early Diagnosis
Detecting lung cancer early can save your life, and lung cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to do this. The recommended method for screening is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). This quick, painless scan uses a small dose of radiation to create detailed images of your lungs. It only takes a few minutes to complete.
Who should get screened?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests that people who meet the following criteria should undergo yearly LDCT screenings:
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history or more.
- Currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years.
- Are aged 50 to 80 years.
Wondering what a pack-year is?
It’s calculated by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked. For example, if you’ve smoked one pack a day for 20 years, that equals a 20 pack-year history.
Understanding the risks
While LDCT screening is so important, it also comes with some potential risks:
False positives: The scan might show something suspicious when it’s not cancer, leading to unnecessary tests.
Overdiagnosis: Some detected cancers may grow so slowly that they wouldn’t have caused problems.
Radiation exposure: Repeated LDCT tests expose you to small amounts of radiation, which can increase cancer risks over time.
Given these risks, screening is recommended for those at high risk who are also healthy enough to undergo lung surgery if necessary.
Help for quitting smoking
During your screening, your doctor will likely ask about your smoking habits and may offer resources to help you quit. Tobacco addiction is tough to overcome, but quitting greatly reduces your risk of lung cancer and other serious diseases. You can find support to quit at smokefree.gov.
When to stop screening
Lung cancer screening is no longer recommended once a person:
• Turns 81 years old.
• Has not smoked for 15 or more years.
• Develops a health issue making surgery for lung cancer impossible.