Now offering Lung Cancer Screening
Grant Regional Health Center is now offering the screening test for lung cancer. The test is a low dose CT scan of the chest, which can detect small lesions or nodules to watch or treat. A lung cancer screening could save your life.
You should seek a lung cancer screening if:
- You have three of the following factors:
- You are between the ages of 50-79
- 20 Pack Years of smoking history (see below)
- Smoked within the past 15 years
What are pack years? # of packs you smoke per day X the # of years you smoked = Pack years
You should also seek a lung cancer screening if you have a history of cancer of the lung, esophagus, head or neck.
What is a “Lung Cancer Screening Program”?
A lung cancer screening is a tool healthcare providers use to detect lung cancer early, when it’s more easily treated. This screening is recommended for people between the ages of 50 and 80 who smoke or who have quit less than 15 years ago and have a 20-year pack history or greater. This screening is a yearly, low dose CT scan (LDCT) that can show potentially cancerous tumors when they’re still small. Screening means that you have a regular test or imaging to catch a disease before it starts causing symptoms.
What are the advantages of lung cancer screening using low-dose CT?
A lung cancer screening is a noninvasive imaging procedure that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. Studies using plain X-rays to screen for lung cancer suggest that it isn’t as effective at catching cancer early or improving survival rates as LDCT. LDCT has a lower dose of radiation than a standard CT (computed tomography) scan.
Lung cancer screening increases the likelihood that if you do develop lung cancer, you’ll be diagnosed at an early stage when it’s more treatable. Studies suggest that over 50% of people (or 1 in 2) diagnosed with lung cancer through annual screening are diagnosed at an early stage, compared to about 28% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage.
Lung cancer is a serious diagnosis. It is the leading cause of death between men and women. But annual screening can be a powerful tool for catching it early, with the most effective treatment options available. Talk to your provider about whether you’re at a higher risk for lung cancer and if you should get screened.