The goal of screening is to detect disease at its earliest and most treatable stage.
In lung cancer screening, individuals who have a high risk of developing lung cancer but no signs or symptoms of the disease undergo low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scanning of the chest.
LDCT combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple, cross-sectional images or pictures of the inside of the body. LDCT produces images of sufficient quality to detect many abnormalities while using up to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
- Anything that increases an individual’s chances of developing disease is called a risk factor. Risk factors for lung cancer include:
- tobacco smoking
- exposure to radon, asbestos or other cancer-causing agents
- a personal or family history of lung cancer
- certain chronic lung diseases
Why should I do it ?
- Lung cancer that is detected early — before spreading to other areas of the body — is more often successfully treated. Unfortunately, when lung cancer is diagnosed, occasionally the disease has already spread outside the lung.
- CT is fast, which is important for patients who have trouble holding their breath.
- CT scanning is painless and noninvasive.
- No radiation remains in a patient's body after a CT exam.
- LDCT scans of the chest produce images of high enough quality to detect many abnormalities while using up to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.
