MENULung Cancer Screening Guide
Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer in the United States, with more than 131,000 people who die from it every year. It is also one of the most preventable cancers.
The best prevention is to quit smoking. There is also screening for lung cancer, which has the ability to catch lung cancer earlier.
Who should be screened for lung cancer?
Guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend:
- Adults aged 50-80 who have smoked an average of a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years,
- and who currently smoke or who have have quit smoking with the last 15 years
Screening is not for everybody, and the harms of screening can be significant for persons at low risk for lung cancer. We can help assess your risk.
What are the risks of lung screening?
Risks include:
- False-positive results:
In other words, something shows up on the test, but turns out not to be cancer. - Physical harm from additional testing or surgery to evaluate the abnormal findings.
For example, lung biopsies can lead to partial collapse of the lung, bleeding, infection, pain and discomfort. - Exposure to radiation:
The helical CT scans used for lung cancer screening use a very small amount of radiation, less than used for most CT scans. The annual exposure from screening adds up over years. The cumulative effect of radiation exposure is not known, but for those at high risk for lung cancer, the risk from the low level of radiation exposure from screening is not felt to be a significant.
What is a helical CT scan?
Low-dose helical CT, also called spiral CT, uses X-rays to scan the entire chest in about 5 to 10 seconds during a single breath-hold. The CT scanner looks like a donut, with the person undergoing a CT scan lying still on a table that moves through the opening in the scanner as the CT machinery rotates around the person. A computer creates images from the X-ray information coming from the scanner and then assembles these images into a series of two-dimensional slices of the lung at very small intervals to provide excellent detail and enable the detection of very small lesions, referred to as nodules, that are often smaller than 1 centimeter.
What Does the Screening Include?
The screening process begins with an initial low dose CT scan, which can be followed by an office visit, during which the results will be reviewed with you.
It is VERY important to understand that screening for lung cancer is a process, not a single test, so achieving the greatest reduction in your risk of dying from lung cancer requires that you adhere to your doctor’s recommendations for ongoing scans, typically at yearly intervals, and follow up on any abnormalities.
What is a helical CT scan?
Low-dose helical CT, also called spiral CT, uses X-rays to scan the entire chest in about 5 to 10 seconds during a single breath-hold. The CT scanner looks like a donut, with the person undergoing a CT scan lying still on a table that moves through the opening in the scanner as the CT machinery rotates around the person. A computer creates images from the X-ray information coming from the scanner and then assembles these images into a series of two-dimensional slices of the lung at very small intervals to provide excellent detail and enable the detection of very small lesions, referred to as nodules, that are often smaller than 1 centimeter.
Where do these screening guidelines come from?
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Dr. Doug Arenberg, who heads the lung cancer screening program at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center, discusses lung cancer screening, who benefits, how it's done, along with lung cancer prevention options like smoking cessation that could help in improving survival rate.
Will My Insurance Cover the Cost?
Under the Affordable Care Act, the UPSTF recommendation requires private insurance companies to include the service as an essential covered benefit.
You should check with you health insurance plan to determine if this is a covered service for you.
In addition, Medicare, will cover lung screenings.
If a nodule is found, your future scans will also be covered by your health insurance. The office visits should be covered by your insurance. At this office visit you will also be provided with resources for smoking cessation if you have not already stopped.
What else can I do if I'm concerned about lung cancer?
Talk to your doctor about your lung cancer risk and what you can do to reduce it. The single biggest thing anyone can do to prevent lung cancer is to stop smoking or don't start. For help quitting, visit U-M's Tobacco Consultation Service or call 734-998-6222.
How can I get a lung cancer screening?
University of Michigan Health offers lung cancer screenings for people at high risk. Check with your doctor about whether you meet the criteria for screening.