According to National Cancer Institute of US, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the country. One of the vital factors that contribute towards its survival is early diagnosis. The early lung cancer gets diagnosed; the more are the chances for its survival. It is important to understand that lung cancer can be highly treatable when it is caught at an early stage.
Lung cancer screening plays a pivotal role in detecting early signs of lung cancer. Screening greatly increases your chances of survival. Generally, lung cancer symptoms do not appear until the disease has already spread to an advanced stage. Thus, screening tests are meant to show whether early detection helps in live longer or decrease a person’s chance of dying from the disease. The chance of recovery is better when the disease is found and treated at an early stage.
Doctors recommend lung cancer screening on yearly basis for people who are between 50 and 80 years of age. Those who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack/year and also those who currently smoke or have quit smoking within 15 years.
During lung cancer screening, patients receive a low dose CT scan and CT imaging use X-rays to offer a detailed 3D image of the lung. But lung cancer screening may come with some serious risks as well. Continual annual lung cancer screening may develop your other serious health conditions. The risks of lung cancer screening include being exposed to low level of radiation. Also, if scan shows some suspicious spot in any lungs, one need to undergo additional scans which exposes you to more radiation and invasive tests. In cases where lung cancer has already spread to an advanced stage, such tests might not improve your life.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only.
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