Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines
Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines, What Tests are Used for Lung Cancer Screening? Lung cancer screenings occur when physicians look for abnormal tissue in individuals who have had little or no symptoms to suggest that they have cancer. Cancer screenings are the primary way to identify cancer in its early stages. The earlier that the cancer is detected, the higher the likelihood of a successful treatment outcome. Cancer research suggests that those who are at higher risk of developing cancer should be screened regularly.
More than half of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages, making screening and early detection crucial for successful treatment of patients. Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in the United States behind breast cancer, with an estimated 230,000 new cases in 2020. In the past 40 years, lung cancer rates have decreased by one-third in men but have more than doubled in women. An increased rate of female smokers is the main contributing factor to the increase in cases.
What are the Risk Factors for Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer screening guidelines suggest that those with risk factors or a strong family history should be screened regularly. The American Cancer Society recommends individuals between the ages of 55-74 to be screened annually, especially those who currently smoke or have an extensive history of smoking within the past 15 years.
Risk factors for lung cancer, other than age and smoking, include:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals and gases such as radon, asbestos, uranium, and diesel exhaust
- Air pollution
- Family history of lung cancer
What Tests are Used for Lung Cancer Screening?
For lung cancer screenings, there are three main tests performed by physicians to detect cancer in the lungs, but only one has been shown to increase the survival rate of patients who are heavy smokers. These tests include:
Low-dose spiral CT scan (LDCT scan): Radiation is used to create detailed images of areas throughout the body using an x-ray machine. A computer linked to the x-ray machine scans the body in a spiral path. Formally called the low-dose helical CT scan, this test is the most accurate in early stages of lung cancer. Those who currently smoke and view their LDCT scan results are more likely to quit smoking.
Chest x-ray: A standard x-ray exam is used to view the organs and bones inside the chest to detect any tumors in the lungs or surrounding tissue.
Sputum Cytology: This is a procedure in which a sample of mucus coughed up from lung, sputum, is looked at under a microscope to look for abnormal cells.
New methods of screening for lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials that are monitored and later approved by the FDA. There is an inherent risk of a false-negative or false-positive tests in many screening methods, so it is important to discuss the results with your physician.
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