Lung Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Every day in the U.S., an average of 425 people die from lung cancer. Screening could save lives.

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., more than colon, prostate, ovarian and breast cancers combined.
• Catching it early greatly improves survival rates.
• Screening offers chance for minimal surgery.
• Screening may reduce the need for chemotherapy or radiation.

Who should get screened?

Current and former smokers aged 55 to 80 years who have smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 30 years. Smoking is the #1 risk factor, but not the only one.

Additional risk factors include:

• Having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD - chronic bronchitis or emphysema).
• Have a family history of lung cancer. There are increased risks for parents, siblings and children of those with lung cancer.
• Worked with asbestos or other carcinogens, including arsenic, chromium and nickel.

Low-dose CT scans: The best way to screen.

A major study found many benefits to using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to screen for lung cancer.

• Screening high risk patients with CT scans reduced deaths from lung cancer by 20%.
• Helps locate small cancers earlier than x-rays.
• Lower radiation dose than standard CT scans.
• No need for contrast injection.

Source: MayoClinic.org, Cancer.org, and Cancer.gov.