Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer has the highest rate of cancer mortality. But lung cancer screening at Chuan Jiang Medicine PC in Flushing, New York, can save your life by finding the disease at an early stage while it’s still curable. Chuan Jiang, MD, provides risk assessments and serves as a vital member of your cancer team if your screening reveals a problem. Don’t put off your lung cancer screening. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Who should get lung cancer screening?

Smoking is responsible for 90% of lung cancers. As a result, screening recommendations are based on your smoking history.

Lung cancer screening is recommended for long-time smokers over the age of 50. Or more specifically, you should schedule screening if you meet all of the following:

• Smoked one pack a day for 20 years or longer 
• Have an on and off smoking habit in the last 15 years 
• You’re aged 50-80

Though that’s the current recommendation, that doesn’t mean you should forget about lung cancer screening if you fall outside the guidelines. You may still need screening if you have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

What risk factors may indicate I need lung cancer screening?

You’re more likely to develop lung cancer if you have a family history of the disease or you’re exposed to:

• Secondhand smoke
• Radon
• Asbestos
• Diesel exhaust
• Workplace carcinogens

If you’re uncertain about whether you need lung cancer screening, Dr. Jiang can perform a risk assessment and offer recommendations.

How is lung cancer screening done?

Lung cancer screening is done with a low-dose CT scan. The detailed images produced by a CT scan are proven to be better than regular X-rays for finding early cancers. Screening with a CT scan also lowers your risk of dying from lung cancer.

If you need screening, Dr. Jiang refers you to a radiology center for your CT scan, then provides follow-up care based on your results.

What happens after lung cancer screening?

Dr. Jiang provides ongoing care and works with you to develop a testing schedule if your CT scan shows signs of lung cancer.

After getting a positive test, you need additional studies to verify whether you have lung cancer and if so, the extent of the cancer. The next steps may require:

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Surgical biopsy (performed by a thoracic surgeon or interventional radiologist)
• Blood testing (to identify genetic mutations that guide your cancer treatment)
• Referral to an oncologist 

Dr. Jiang has an in-office lab where he can perform the full range of pulmonary function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. These procedures are required as part of your thoracic surgeon’s pre-surgery evaluation because they show your ability to tolerate surgery to remove the lung cancer.

If you have questions or want to learn about your risk factors for lung cancer, call Chuan Jiang Medicine PC or schedule an appointment online today.