According to a study conducted in the Netherlands and published in the January 2020 New England Journal of Medicine, annual Computed Tomography (CT) screenings of former and current long-time smokers have been proven to reduce deaths from lung cancer.
“Wonderful News”
Dr. Debra Dyer, a spokeswoman for the American College of Radiology and chair of radiology at National Jewish Health in Denver, called the findings “wonderful news.”
“There’s no doubt about the effectiveness” of annual CT scans for lung cancer, she said.
However, eligibility for screening for lung cancer is only about 4-5%, according to a spokesperson for the American Lung Association. By stark contrast, the percentage of eligible women to undergo a screening mammogram for breast cancer is 70%.
According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), a better implementation of lung cancer screening could save an estimated 30,000-60,000 lives annually. Lung cancer screening uses Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT), which is a CT scan with a minimal dose of radiation, to find lung nodules, some of which may be cancer. People who take part in screening can lower their chances of dying from lung cancer.
Screening means testing for a disease when there are no symptoms or history of that disease. Doctors recommend a screening test to find a disease early, when treatment may work better. In general, lung cancer screening is not a single test but a process that must be done correctly under the direction of your doctor(s).
Capitol Imaging Services (CIS) affiliates in Louisiana and Alabama offer CT lung cancer screening exams. These exams are very quick to complete, taking about five minutes or less for the actual scan. A referral order from a qualified medical provider, such as a physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, is required for the scan.
Click here to learn more about CIS CT lung cancer screening services. Choose Capitol Imaging Services: doctor trusted and patient preferred.
