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.