Tis’ the Season For Lung Cancer Screening
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. As such, the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE wants to remind Americans that early detection is key to surviving this deadly cancer. That is why screening for lung cancer is so important.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the United States and throughout the world. It is responsible for more deaths in the United States than colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers combined! According to the National Cancer Institute, 235,760 Americans will receive a lung cancer diagnosis this year alone. Sadly, 131,880 will die from this disease as well this year.
Understanding Lung Cancer
Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancers. Even being exposed to secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer to develop. When smoking is combined with other risk factors, such as exposure to asbestos or a family history of lung cancer, the results can be deadly.
In general, there are two main forms of lung cancer:
1. Small cell lung cancer
2. Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common form of the disease.
Early Detection is Key
Like most cancers, early detection is key. The sooner lung cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatments will be. Screening is vital because many people do not have symptoms of lung cancer until the disease is more pronounced. Even when lung cancer symptoms do start to finally appear, many people mistake them for other conditions, such as an infection or long-term effects from smoking. This often delays the diagnosis.
In recent years, low-dose CT (LDCT) scans have been used to diagnose lung cancer in people at higher risk. LDCT scans can help find abnormal areas in the lungs that x-rays are unable to see. Unlike x-rays which are not a useful screening tool, LDCT scans actually save lives.
Getting a yearly LDCT can help lower the risk of dying from lung cancer and is especially useful for smokers who also have a family history of the disease.
Who Should Get Routine Lung Cancer Screening?
According to the American College of Chest Physicians, yearly lung cancer screening with LDCT scans are recommended for people who:
- Are 50 to 80 years old
- In fairly good health
- Currently smoke or have quit in the last 15 years
and - Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years smoked)
Even if you do not meet these criteria exactly, it is important to discuss lung cancer screening with your physician. Low-dose CT scans are relatively easy to perform and may save your life.
We Offer Low-Dose CT Lung Screening
If you are looking for low-dose CT lung screening, call ImageCare Radiology today! We offer low-dose CT lung screening to help check for deadly lung cancers. We also offer a variety of other diagnostic imaging services. These services can help you screen for potential cancers and other illnesses and include CT scans, MRIs, and neurological imaging. Our radiology and imaging centers believe in providing exceptional imaging services whenever you need us. If your doctor requests imaging services, give us a call today at 973-871-3333 to schedule an appointment or complete our convenient online appointment request form.