What is lung cancer screening?
Lung cancer screening is a low-dose chest CT scan to look for signs of lung cancer. Often, people with early stage lung cancer have no symptoms. The purpose is to find lung cancers in the early stages, when they are easier to treat and have a greater likelihood of being cured.
How do I know if I should be screened?
Only patients who have a high risk of developing lung cancer should be screened. Talk to your primary care provider to see if you should be screened. This will depend on factors like your:
- Age
- Smoking history
- Current health
Do I need to do anything before the screening?
Yes. Lung cancer screening has many benefits, but there are also potential risks. To be eligible for screening, you must discuss these risks and benefits with your doctor to make sure that lung cancer screening is right for you. You can have this visit with your primary care provider or a physician at BMC’s Lung Nodule Clinic.
My screening CT scan was negative (normal). What happens next?
A negative screening CT does not mean that you won’t develop lung cancer in the future. It is also not a substitute for quitting smoking. The most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to not smoke or use any form of tobacco. In most cases, we recommend a repeat screening CT scan one year later.
My screening CT showed a pulmonary (lung) nodule. What happens next?
If your CT scan shows a pulmonary nodule, BMC’s Lung Nodule Clinic is here to help. We work with you and your primary care physician to develop a specialized plan for you.
Most lung nodules don’t cause any problems and fewer than five percent turn out to be cancer. However, it is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations to manage your lung nodule. This will help make sure we catch the few that turn out to be cancer while they can still be treated.
For more information give us a call at 617.638.5864.