Lung Cancer Screening: What You Need to Know
What is Lung Cancer Screening?
A lung cancer screening is a test that uses a low-dose CT scan to catch signs of lung cancer before you have any symptoms. Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow rapidly in the lining of the tubes, branches, or air sacs that make up your lungs. If you have a high risk of lung cancer, a quick CT scan could help detect cancer sooner.
Who Should Get Screened?
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults between 55 and 80 years old who have smoked at least 30 pack-years and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years should get screened for lung cancer with a low-dose CT scan. One pack-year is defined as smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. If you have a high risk of lung cancer, you should consider getting screened even if you meet the age requirements.
Benefits of Screening
Annual low-dose CT scans for people at high risk for lung cancer have proved to reduce the chance of death from lung cancer. Screening with LDCT decreases lung cancer mortality in multiple studies.
Where to Get Screened
You can get a lung cancer screening at most hospitals and imaging centers. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get screened and where you can get a screening.
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