Finding lung cancer early can be life-saving, with survival rates as high as 90 percent when the disease is detected in its early, localized stages. This is why lung cancer screening is such a powerful tool in the fight against one of the most common cancers among American adults. Early detection not only improves survival rates but may also allow for less invasive treatments and a better quality of life.
Why Screen for Lung Cancer?
Screening involves testing for a disease before signs or symptoms appear. Screening tests are suggested by doctors to identify diseases at an early stage when treatments are more likely to be effective.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sole approved screening method for lung cancer is a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan.
In this procedure, you lie on a table while an CT scan takes detailed pictures of your lungs. The process is quick, painless and takes only a few minutes.
What Are the Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in people who have a high risk of developing the disease.
This screening is crucial, as it can detect lung cancer at very early stages when it is most treatable.
Who Qualifies for Lung Cancer Screening?
Screening is specifically recommended for the following groups of people who are at higher risk of developing lung cancer:
- Those who are between the ages of 50 and 80
- Those who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
- Those who have a 20-pack-year smoking history, which means that a person has smoked an equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years. It could also mean smoking two packs a day for 10 years or any other combination that multiplies to 20 pack years.
When and How Often Should Someone Get Screened for Lung Cancer?
People with Average Lung Cancer Risk
The average person, particularly those who are not at high risk due to factors like a history of heavy smoking, usually doesn’t need routine lung cancer screening.
Always discuss your risk factors and whether lung cancer screening is right for you with your healthcare provider, whether you have a history of smoking or not.
People With Higher Risk
Lung cancer screening is typically recommended annually for individuals who are at high risk, meaning they meet the criteria above.
Eligible adults should receive an annual (once per year) lung cancer screening with LDCT. This consistency is important to catch any changes early and to monitor any areas of concern that might not be immediately identifiable as cancerous.
The USPSTF also recommends ending screening for people in high-risk groups who develop a health problem that seriously limits their life expectancy or who aren’t willing to have lung surgery if needed.
Stony Brook’s Center for Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention aligns with these guidelines, offering an annual screening that includes a low-dose computed tomography scan for those who qualify. The program provides a comprehensive review of each case by a team of nationally recognized lung cancer specialists. Beyond the initial screening, the Center ensures thorough follow-up examinations and imaging services as needed.
As part of Stony Brook Cancer Center, the Lung Cancer and Chest Disease Program is staffed with healthcare professionals who specialize in evaluating and customizing treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs. For more information about lung cancer screening and to find out if you qualify or to learn about our smoking cessation programs, please contact Stony Brook Cancer Center at (631) 638-7000.
