November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated toward raising awareness about the disease that is the #1 killer of men and women across the country. Despite it still being one of the most dangerous and prevalent cancers, the encouraging news is that death rates for lung cancer have been dropping for both men and women. Much of this decline can be attributed to awareness about the dangers of smoking and education about the benefits of early detection through screening. In this article, we will focus on a very important form of lung cancer screening—CT lung cancer screening—and discuss how lung cancer screening is making strides in preventing more lung cancer deaths.
What is CT lung cancer screening?
The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is the CT lung cancer screening, also known as low-dose computed tomography or LDCT. During a CT lung cancer scan, an x-ray machine uses a low dose of radiation (much less ionizing radiation than a traditional chest x-ray) to create detailed images of your lungs. The images can help your radiologist detect any abnormalities in the lungs before symptoms are present.
Who is eligible for screening?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT lung cancer screening to people who:
Have a history of heavy smoking (30 packs or more)
Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years
Are between 55 and 80 years old
Display any signs or symptoms of lung cancer
Benefits of CT Lung Cancer Screening
As mentioned, CT lung cancer screening makes it possible to detect lung cancer long before it begins to present any signs and symptoms, which allows doctors to begin treating the disease before it’s progressed or spread to other parts of the body. This is crucial in giving patients the best chance at beating lung cancer, and in minimizing the number of fatalities from the disease.
Risks of CT Lung Cancer Screening
Patients who undergo CT lung cancer screening will be subjected to low doses of radiation with each screening test. Because this screening procedure is recommended annually for those that need it, the risk of radiation exposure is increased, which is why CT lung cancer screening is recommended only for adults who are at a very high risk of lung cancer. Other risks include false-positives and false-negatives in the test, but it is important to note that the benefits of CT lung cancer screening far outweigh any risks.
Lung cancer screening is making it possible to more successfully treat lung cancer at an earlier stage. If your doctor has recommended CT lung cancer screening in San Francisco, book your screening exam at one of our BICRAD locations today!