The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that nearly 235,000 Americans will learn they have lung cancer this year. Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among men and women. ACS estimates a staggering 125,000 patients will die from the disease in 2024. The problem is that this cancer is still mostly discovered at a later stage, often having spread to other parts of the body, like the brain or bones. But it could be diagnosed earlier.
What millions of former and current smokers do not realize is that there is an annual screening they could be getting to catch lung cancers in the early stages, when they are more treatable and survivable. The screening is a low-dose CT scan, which is non-invasive. CT scans produce multiple images using sensitive X-rays, which produce clearer and more detailed pictures than a traditional X-ray. The scans help radiologists detect abnormalities in the lungs.
Men and women ages 50-80 who are current or former smokers no more than 15 years ago and have at least a 20-pack year smoking history should receive an annual lung cancer screening. A 20-pack year means smoking a pack (20 cigarettes) a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
Medicare covers lung cancer screening for patients 50-77 years old, and most commercial insurance plans cover it for patients 55-80. Typically, there is no out-of-pocket cost for a low-dose CT lung screening, but patients are encouraged to confirm with their health insurance provider.
While an annual screening cannot reverse the damage caused by smoking, it could help find cancer in the early stages when there is a better chance of curing the disease using the latest treatments. An estimated 80 to 90% of lung cancers are linked to smoking cigarettes or cigars. Other risk factors include:
- Exposure to second-hand smoke or breathing in the smoke of others.
- Exposure to the radioactive gas radon, which is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
- Exposure to asbestos and other inhaled chemicals in the workplace.
- Arsenic in drinking water.
- Air pollution.
- A family history of lung cancer.
Lung cancer screenings require a referral from your provider. To learn more about the Lung Cancer Screening Program at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, visit karmanos.org/lungcancerscreening. You may schedule a lung cancer screening at a Karmanos or McLaren Health Care location near you.
If you are a smoker, quitting will lower your risk of developing lung and several other cancers. For resources to help you kick the habit, click here.
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