Medically reviewed by Dr. Sara Ghandehari
In the U.S, lung cancer It is the leading cause of cancer death in people of all genders.
In the past, lung cancer used to be considered a male smoker’s disease Why do men smoke in higher rates than women, and smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer. But research shows that women who smoke are more likely to get lung cancer and with less exposure to cigarettes than men who smoke, and No one is sure why.
Genes and biological susceptibility are thought to play a role. In other words, simply being a woman may increase the risk of lung cancer.
It is also important to understand that lung cancer rates are growing in non-smokers.
Here we’ll talk about lung cancer screening guidelines, what they mean, and how you can best protect yourself.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
If you have lung cancer, you may Experience things like:
- A cough that doesn’t get better
- Coughing up blood
- A hoarse voice
- Not being hungry
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling like you can’t catch your breath
- Fatigue
- Wheezing
- Getting lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, that keep coming back.
These symptoms can also indicate other health problems, so it doesn’t mean you have lung cancer if you have these symptoms. But if you’re not feeling well or have symptoms that don’t get better, talk to your health care provider for a more thorough evaluation.
What are the screening guidelines for lung cancer?
He United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening if you meet all of the following guidelines:
- You are between 50 and 80 years old
- You have a smoking history of 20 pack-years or more
- You currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years.
What is a package year? It is a measurement how much a person has smoked over a period of time. To find out how many packs of cigarettes they have smoked per day, multiply the number of packs of cigarettes they have smoked per day by the number of years they have smoked. So, one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years are both 20 packs per day.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends similar The screening guidelines are the same as the USPSTF’s, but they recently updated their guidelines to remove the 15-year requirement. According to the ACS, annual screening is important no matter how many years it has been since you quit smoking.
How is lung cancer detected?
In the past, lung cancer screening was done through a chest X-ray, which takes a picture of the bones and organs in the chest. But now, Research has shown that detection by low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is more effective.
A Low dose CT It uses small amounts of radiation to take detailed pictures of your chest using an X-ray machine. These pictures are taken in a spiral path around your body, which is why this procedure is also called a spiral scan.
The National Lung Screening Trial looked at people ages 55 to 74 who had smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for at least 30 years. Study participants were either current smokers or had quit smoking within the past 15 years. Researchers used chest X-rays or low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer. They found that using yearly low-dose CT scans for three years revealed lung cancer in its early stages better than chest X-rays. These scans also reduced the risk of dying from lung cancer in current and past smokers.
Should non-smokers be tested?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that up to 1 in 5 people In the United States, people who have never smoked still suffer from lung cancer.
Despite this, the USPSTF only recommends lung cancer screening for those who are at high risk: People aged 50 years or older who smoke or have smoked. This is because the potential harms of screening, such as additional testing to detect false alarms, may outweigh the minimal benefit of detecting cancer early in this group.
The American Lung Association says there are There is not enough evidence It would be helpful to say whether screening tools would be helpful for nonsmokers. But research is constantly changing, as are screening guidelines.
Will insurance cover lung cancer screening?
In 2022, Medicare expanded its coverage Screening for people between 50 and 77 years of age who have smoked 20 pack years and who currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years. They should also have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid expansion plans must also follow the new 2022 guidelines. Check with your individual insurance plan to see if you are eligible. I shouldn’t have to pay for any evaluation as long as you meet the criteria, but your insurance can tell you which facilities you can go to to have it done.
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
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