Lung Cancer and Screening

Whether you are an active smoker or quit years ago, undergoing a lung cancer screening can aid in the early detection of lung cancer, when it is most treatable and offers the greatest chance of survival. CT scan screening for lung cancer is now officially recommended by Medicare, American College of Chest Physicians, American Association of Thoracic Surgery, AMA, and American Cancer Society.

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Screening is available
for those at greatest risk, such as people over the age of 55 who meet certain criteria.

The final and most convincing proof that screening works, comes from the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial where > 50,000 people were randomized to either a chest x-ray or a low dose chest CT scan once per year. Lung masses were found more often in the CT group than in the CXR group (27.3% vs. 9.2%) because the CT can see much smaller masses than the CXR. To be in the trial, all patients had to be > 55 years and smoked at least 1 pack per day for 30 years. The study showed a 20% reduction in death from lung cancer in the screened group.

Unfortunately, lung cancer is usually found at an advanced stage that is not curable, so it kills more people than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. That’s why it is important to get screened for lung cancer if you have a history of smoking. Screening programs help find cancer at an earlier stage, where it is more curable with better survival rates.

Who should undergo screening?

  • Age 55-80 years
  • People who have smoked at least 1 pack per day for 20 years (20-pack years)
  • Or current smokers or former smokers who quit smoking within the last 15 years

Click here to watch a video about the lung screening program and elegibility criteria. Click here to find a screening location near you.

What is the screening test?

A low-dose CT scan is designed to look for signs of lung cancer even before symptoms are present. Because a low-dose CT scan involves a lower amount of radiation exposure than a traditional CT scan, it is the only effective, proven way to screen for lung cancer. Between 3% and 51% of the CT scans will show a mass in the lung. Of the people with a mass in the lung, between 1% and 5% have cancer.

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One or more specialists may be involved in understanding your needs and provide additional information about screening.

What happens during a screening visit?

  1. A lung cancer screening specialist will prepare you for what to expect from the screening.
  2. You will undergo a low-dose chest CT scan.
  3. After the scan, you will receive the results from your lung cancer screening specialist.
  4. You may also want to discuss your results with your physician or qualified nurse practitioner.
  5. Our team will let your doctor know your results, so he or she can recommend next steps if needed.

Who should review the CT scan with you?

The CT scan should be reviewed by a radiologist with special expertise in evaluating lung masses or a specialist (e.g. a thoracic surgeon) who frequently evaluates screening CT scans with masses. Because <5% of masses found by screening are cancer, an expert is needed to determine which nodules to follow and which to diagnosis or treat.

Who pays for the screening CT?

A screening CT for lung cancer is covered by Medicare and most insurance companies, such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna, and United Health Care. You can call the phone number on the back of your health insurance card to make sure that your insurance carrier covers lung cancer screening. The scan can be scheduled by calling (310) 829-8686.

 

What are the steps of lung cancer screening?

We will make an appointment for you for your screening, which will include a chest scan. Prior to getting scanned, you will need to change into an exam gown. The material of the gown does not show on the scan unlike some materials found in clothing garments. You will be asked to lie on your back on the table of the CT machine with your arms raised above your head. The table will then slowly pass through the center of a large machine while detailed X-ray images are taken of your lungs. It is important to stay very still during the scan to prevent any possible blurring of the images; at times, you may be asked to hold your breath to help improve clarity. While in the CT machine, you may hear a humming sound as the emitter inside the machine rotates. Though the scanner will cover your entire body for a short period of time, both ends of the machine are completely open for you to see and hear outside the machine. The physician or technician preforming the scan is able to see and hear you at all times.

Getting your CT scan

A low-dose CT scan is a quick, painless, and non-invasive approach to screen for lung cancer. This type of CT scan uses no dyes or injections and requires nothing to swallow. The scan takes less than a minute to complete while the entire appointment takes approximately 30 minutes.

After the Scan

You will receive a copy of your scan on a disc or thumb drive at the time of the exam. Your scan will then be reviewed by a radiologist, who is specialist in identifying the smallest signs of cancer. Any significant findings will be discussed in one of our group conferences with other experts that specialize in the treatment of lung disease and cancer. It should be noted that abnormalities are common and that most are noncancerous and harmless.

Getting your scan results

We will contact you with your results within a week of your exam, sometimes sooner. If additional follow-up or testing is necessary, we will inform you of the next steps. If your scan has no positive findings, we will let you know then contact you in a year for continued monitoring.

 

Steps to Help You Quit Smoking

Decide to quit once and for all

Congratulations! Deciding to quit smoking is the first step on your path to health and wellness. While success will require dedication and hard work, your determination will help you kick this habit once and for all. Stay on track by following these steps:

Clear your path

There are many things you can do now to help increase your chances of remaining smoke-free. Start with simple tasks like getting rid of your cigarettes, ashtrays and other items that may trigger the urge to smoke. List the reasons why you smoke as well as why you want to quit. This list will help you stay motivated.

Get help from family and friends

Research shows that support from family and friends makes it easier to quit smoking. Let people know you are trying to quit and how important this process is for you. If you have an urge to smoke, call them. You can also work with your doctor to create a plan to help you along the way.

Learn new behaviors

Humans are creatures of habit, so change may cause anxiety. Limit stress through physical activity, deep breaths or other activities to help distract you. Celebrate the little steps and reward yourself for not smoking.

Medications are available to help you quit

Cigarettes have many chemicals, including nicotine, which is very addictive. Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness and irritability. Using a nicotine replacement medication can increase your chances of success. Talk with your doctor to learn more.

Be Prepared for Temptations

It takes a lot of effort to quit smoking. To help you succeed, avoid stressful situations and walk away when people want to smoke around you. Create a plan in advance to prepare for possible urges and call a member of your support system when temptations arise.

 

If you have questions regarding Lung Cancer Screening or Treatment, please call today. Click here to request an appointment.