When cancer is found early, there is a better chance that it can be treated or cured. The best way to detect it early is to do regular screenings. For lung cancer, that consists of a low-dose CT scan. It’s easy and only takes a couple of minutes. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. In fact it’s the second most common cancer in both men and women.
Who Needs a Lung Cancer Screening?
“If you are a smoker or have smoked within the last 15 years and you smoked on average, a pack a day, for 20 years or so, and you’re between the ages of 50 and 80, then you would be a candidate for lung cancer screening,” said pulmonologist with Avera Medical Group Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Fady Jamous, MD.
How Long Will a Lung Cancer Screening Take?
“The screening itself is a low dose CT scan of the chest. You would be scheduled in the radiology department. It’s a 30-second test where you lie down on the machine table and go into a circular structure, take a deep breath, and it’s painless and easy. The process itself does start with a visit with your provider to look at the risks and benefits of the screening,” said Dr. Jamous.
How Often Should Someone Be Screened?
“The recommendation is to get screened every year until you’re past 15 years of smoking cessation or if you reach a certain age limit or have other health conditions make you not a good candidate for the screen,” said Dr. Jamous.
What If Something is Found?
“If a spot is found or the screen is abnormal, then your physician or provider will talk to you about different options. One option would be to wait a few months and repeat a CT scan. Other options would be to do additional types of CT scans, like a PET scan, and if necessary one can talk about biopsy,” said Dr. Jamous
How to Reduce Your Lung Cancer Risk:
“Lung cancer screening is very important with the low dose CT scan, but it is also very important to try and quit smoking. That alone will reduce your risk of developing lung cancer down the line,” said Dr. Jamous.
Talk with your primary care provider to see if you qualify for a low-dose screening. Learn more about lung cancer screenings.
