Computed tomography, also called a CT or “cat scan,” is a noninvasive imaging test that uses
low levels of radiation to produce 3D-quality images of internal organs and structures.
Low-dose CT, or LDCT, produces even lower levels of radiation than traditional CT, and is
used to screen the lungs and surrounding areas for abnormalities and signs of disease. The
primary use of LDCT is to screen current and former heavy smokers for early signs of lung
cancer.
Annual LDCT screening can detect lung nodules and masses while they are still tiny and
localized, and can be treated with a high level of success. LDCT’s ability to capture fine details
in just minutes makes it the preferred test for early lung cancer discovery.
WHY LDCT IS THE BEST EXAM FOR DETECTING LUNG CANCER
The key to surviving lung cancer is early discovery, well before symptoms like coughing,
wheezing and shortness of breath occur. Symptoms usually indicate that cancer has spread
outside the lungs, making it difficult or impossible to treat. That’s why the American Cancer
Society, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, RAO, and other esteemed healthcare
entities recommend annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography for
high-risk individuals ages 50 to 80.
A meta-analysis of 49 studies containing 157,762 individuals demonstrates that LDCT
screening delivers excellent overall accuracy in detecting lung cancer with a low rate of false
negative results, especially when compared to chest x-ray. For the early detection of lung
cancer, LDCT is the gold standard of care.
WHO IS AT HIGH RISK OF LUNG CANCER?
It will likely be of no surprise that the highest risk individuals are current and former heavy
smokers. While exposure to airborne toxins and a family history of lung disease are related
to some lung cancers, tobacco smoking accounts for 80-90% of cases. That’s why LDCT
screening is so important for anyone who is or was a heavy smoker.
The smokers who will most benefit from annual LDCT screening are those who have reached
the 20 “pack year” threshold at any time in their life. Your pack year total is calculated by
multiplying the numbers of packs you smoked a day by the number of years you smoked. For
example: 1 pack a day x 20 years = 20 pack years. Because lung cancer tends to form and
grow slowly and stealthily, former smokers who have reached this 20-pack-year benchmark
remain at elevated risk.
Other factors, such as a personal or family history of lung diseases like asthma, chronic
bronchitis or COPD, increase lung cancer risk even more.
If you have followed the eligibility parameters for lung cancer screening, you may have
noticed the age and pack year guidelines are different from what they were even a few years
ago. This is because more people in the US die from lung cancer than from colon, prostate
and breast cancer combined, and younger people are being diagnosed with lung cancer.
That’s why the general guidance has changed to include high-risk people as young as age 50,
even if they quit smoking more than 15 years ago. Current data suggests that once you have
reached 20 pack years, you remain at elevated risk of lung cancer, even if you quit 15, 20, 25,
or more years ago.
While this may be disconcerting news to former heavy smokers who managed to succeed at
the difficult task of quitting, don’t be discouraged. Quitting smoking, no matter when you do
it, is the very best way to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer. The good news is that
even if you quit long, long ago, you’re now eligible to begin and maintain annual LDCT
screening – and, with your clinician’s recommendation, it may be 100% covered by Medicare
or insurance. For the millions of people who weren’t eligible for LDCT screening under the
previous guidelines, this change could be a literal lifesaver.
A SIMPLE CALCULATION THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
Whether you currently smoke or quit ages ago, take a moment to perform a very basic and
crucially important math problem: multiply the number of years you smoked by the number
of packs per day. If you currently smoke, this calculation might be an easy one. But maybe
you smoked back in your teens and twenties, and progressed from one pack per day to two,
before quitting altogether in your thirties. Hey, good for you for quitting – you significantly
reduced your risk. However, your lungs will never be at the same risk level as if you’d never
smoked, so it’s important to determine if you reached 20 pack years.
If the answer is yes, talk to your clinician about LDCT lung cancer screening. Lung cancer is
the nation’s number one cancer killer. One of the reasons it is so deadly is that in its early,
most treatable stages, lung cancer typically produces no symptoms. That’s why annual LDCT
screening can be a crucial step toward early detection, successful treatment, and a long,
fulfilling life.
HOW IS LDCT PERFORMED?
LDCT is painless, quick and requires no preparation on your part. You will be notified
beforehand if a contrast agent will be used. For the exam, you simply lie still on a padded
table while the scanner passes over your chest. After just a few minutes, you’re free to get on
with your day. How simple is that?
HIGH-QUALITY LOW-DOSE CT SCANS IN ORANGE PARK, FL
Radiology Associates is proud to offer high-quality LDCT lung cancer screening services at
our Orange Park location. Our state-of-the-art facility is fully accredited in CT imaging by
the American College of Radiology for enhanced safety, accuracy and highest practice
standards. If you have reached 20 pack years, talk to your clinician about whether low-dose
computed tomography lung cancer screening should be included in your preventive
healthcare regimen. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.