Are you, or someone you love, a candidate for lung cancer screening?
Thank you for stopping by our site. You have arrived here after seeing information about Lung Cancer screening on your coffee cup at Hazel’s Coffee.
Only 15% of lung cancers are found at a localized stage meaning low survival rates. What are the facts about this killer?
- Tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer. Around 90% of lung cancers are related to smoking.
- Risk for lung cancer from smoking are related to the length of time and amount of smoking. Those who have smoked the equivalent of 30 pack years, or more are at the greatest risk but even a history of 10 pack years of smoking means a higher risk of lung cancer.
- Other risk factors include secondhand smoke exposure, exposure to asbestos and exposure to radon gas. Family history may play a role in some.
- Signs and symptoms from lung cancer are nonspecific, overlapping with many non-cancerous conditions and include: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood.
What can we do to beat this killer?
- Smoking cessation is key! If you smoke, your doctor has resources that can help you or your loved one quit.
- Finding lung cancer earlier means improved survival.
- Screening with low dose CT can lower the risk of dying from lung cancer with the largest study showing a decrease in the risk of death by at least 20%.
Who should undergo screening?
You will need a doctor’s order for this exam. If you do not have a physician, there are several options nearby. You may reach out to Northwest Health Services to schedule a visit as a new patient. During your visit, ask for an order for your Low Dose Chest CT.