Lung Screenings

Lung cancer isn’t new, but the way it’s diagnosed has come a long way. While it used to be that it was tough to diagnose lung cancer until after symptoms appeared, we can now use lung screenings for early detection. This saves both time and lives. 

Through use of CT imaging, lung screenings are one of the latest tools to be used to detect lung cancer in its early stages. Early detection leads to better outcomes for the number one cancer diagnosis worldwide. 

Lung screenings are suggested for anyone who meets the criteria for being at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Currently, the criteria for lung cancer screenings are individuals aged 50-77 years old who are current smokers, or former smokers who have quit within the past 15 years. Additionally, if you have a 20-pack-year history, you are at a higher risk. 

A pack-year history is determined by looking at the number of years you smoked multiplied by the number of packs per day you smoked. For example: 

Jan smoked half a pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years. 30 x .5 = 15 pack-year history. Jan is not considered to be at higher risk. 

Dave smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 14 years. 14 x 2 = 28 pack-year history. Dave is considered to be at higher risk. 

Even if you were never a smoker, there are other circumstances that put you at higher risk and suggest you may benefit from a lung screening. If you have had any type of cancer, or you have a family member that has been diagnosed with lung cancer, you may benefit from a lung screening. If you have been exposed to materials such as asbestos or radon (typically through work or living or in an environment with these materials present) then you would qualify for a lung screening. 

We are pleased to be a provider of lung screenings at Gateway Hancock Health. If you think you or a loved one qualify for a screening, or if you have more questions about lung screenings, please reach out to your provider to discuss your options.  

We’re focused on your care, so you can focus on you. 

To find out more about our lung screenings and what it entails, go here.