I’m Nervous About My Upcoming Lung Cancer Screening: What’s Involved?

Lung cancer screening refers to testing for the disease before symptoms appear. The idea is to identify lung cancer at its earliest stages when it's most treatable. But who should undergo screening, and what’s involved in the study?

Dr. Chuan Jiang is a board-certified pulmonologist in Flushing, New York, who specializes in diseases that affect your lung health and pulmonary function. Dr. Jiang is a strong advocate for early detection and preventive care strategies that significantly increase your chance of overcoming the challenges of lung cancer.

Read Dr. Jiang’s insight regarding who should consider lung cancer screening and what to expect during and after the testing.

Why would I consider lung cancer screening?

Many lung cancers are only diagnosed when they have already advanced and have less favorable treatment outcomes.

Screening can identify potential cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage, which may increase survival rates. Also, those with early-stage cancer may be eligible for more advanced and targeted treatment options.

According to current guidelines from the American Cancer Society, lung cancer screening is generally recommended for people who are 50-80 years old, currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 15 years, and have a 20-pack-year history of smoking.  

A “pack-year” may exceed the number of years you’ve smoked since it’s calculated by multiplying the number of packs you smoke per day by the number of smoking years. Thus, two packs a day for 10 years equals a 20-pack-year smoking history.

Dr. Jiang may also recommend lung cancer screening for individuals with a history of exposure to secondhand smoke, asbestos, radon, and other known carcinogens.   

What’s involved in lung cancer screening?

The most common and effective screening tool for lung cancer is a type of imaging scan called low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).

LDCT uses a lower amount of radiation than a standard CT scan, thus minimizing radiation exposure while capturing clear images of the lungs to detect early signs of lung cancer.

During this painless exam, you lie still on a table while the scanning machine rotates around you to capture images of your lungs. It’s completely painless and usually takes just a few minutes.

What can I expect after lung cancer screening?

Dr. Jiang follows up with you about your scan. If your results are negative for abnormalities, you may benefit from future screening studies aimed at early detection and treatment. Otherwise, abnormal LDCT findings may require further study with another imaging test, such as a PET scan or a surgical biopsy of suspicious masses.

If you’re at increased risk of lung cancer, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Jiang today. Call the office or request an appointment online.