Lung Cancer Screening

Who Is a Candidate for a Lung Scan?

For most healthy adults, it’s not common to screen for lung cancer. However, lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Studies show that lung cancer screening can reduce the risk of dying of lung cancer because, in many cases, lung cancer symptoms don’t show right away. This means that it can go undetected until it’s reached a late stage and is harder to treat.

This is why a lung scan can be beneficial for people who are at a high risk for developing lung cancer, yet are otherwise in good health.

People at high risk for lung cancer include:

• People over age 50 who are current or former heavy smokers.
• People who have a smoking history of ‘20 pack years’ or longer: What is a pack year? Multiply the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years you have smoked. For example, one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, or a half pack a day for 40 years.
• People who once smoked heavily, but no longer smoke.

What is a Lung Scan?

Lung scans are done using a series of X-ray images that create a more detailed picture of the lungs, also known as low dose computed tomography (LDCT), than is available with an ordinary X-ray. A primary care provider will order a LDCT scan for qualifying patients.

Scans using this technology can help to diagnose the presence of lung cancer when there are no symptoms or history of lung cancer. Diagnosing cancer early results in more and better treatment options.

The risk of a screening includes potential for false-positive results and radiation exposure. This is one of the reasons that a lung scan is only ordered for people with a high risk for lung cancer.

In general, people who qualify for this type of lung cancer screening should continue to get a scan once per year until they reach a point where they are unlikely to benefit from screenings. The guidelines recommend that lung cancer screening stop when:

• A person turns 81 years old, or
• Has not smoked in 15 or more years, or
• Develops another serious health condition or is too frail to undergo the screening if cancer is found.

Abnormal Findings from a Lung Scan

Once scans are evaluated by a radiologist, your provider will call you to discuss the findings. Sometimes, the screening will find abnormalities within the lungs. Often these abnormalities are not cancer, but more testing may need to be done to be sure.

Screening at Bronson

If you think lung cancer screening could be right for you, talk to your primary care provider. They will ask you a series of questions to see if you qualify.

Don't have a primary care provider? Find one and schedule your first appointment now. If your provider orders a LDCT scan, you can have it done at several Bronson Diagnostic & Imaging locations in Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties.

LDCT scans for approved lung cancer screening is typically covered by insurance. However, every plan is different, so be sure to talk with your insurance provider. If your lung scan is abnormal, you may need more tests. These follow-up tests may lead to additional costs, co-pays or deductibles, depending on your insurance plans.

For more information about lung cancer, screening and cancer care services at Bronson go to bronsonhealth.com/cancer.

How Can Lung Cancer Be Prevented?

The best way to avoid lung cancer is by not smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for all forms of lung cancer – especially non-small cell lung cancer. Some lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of lung cancer, include:

• Being exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Living where there is air pollution.
• Having a family history of lung cancer.
• Being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Being exposed to radiation (including radiation therapy to the breast or chest, imaging tests such as CT scans and radon in the home or workplace).
• Being exposed to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, beryllium, nickel, soot or tar in the workplace.

As with most cancers, the risk of lung cancer increases as you get older.