Medically Reviewed by Wayne Holley, MD

For years, regular chest X-rays were recommended for smokers and others, who were at high risk of lung cancer. Low dose CT Scans are now recommended and covered by health insurers for certain individuals.

“Surgery is reserved for early stage lung cancer,” says McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon Wayne Holley, MD. “It may involve only part of a lung or an entire lung. Once the patient has had surgery and a hospital stay of 4 or 5 days, they can live a normal life. But it’s imperative that they stop smoking.”

THE KEY TO SURVIVAL
The problem is that 3 out of 4 cases are diagnosed too late for surgery to be beneficial. Early detection of lung cancer is really the key to survival by getting patients diagnosed and into the system before they are at an advanced stage.

Until recently, we really haven’t had reasonable tests for early detection, because the tumors didn’t always show up well on X-rays. Historically, we’d wait until a patient developed symptoms – ether coughing up blood or shortness of breath. They we would start testing. Then they tried to do sputum (spit) samples, where you cough up sputum and submit it for testing. They’ve turned out to be very unreliable.

THE BREAKTHROUGH STUDY
In 2011, a very important study of more than 53,000 patients – with former or active smokers — was reported. Results showed a low dose CT scan of the chest was better than a chest X-ray for detecting lung cancers. In the study of patients 55-75 years of age with a 30-pack-year history of smoking (packs/day x years smoked), comparing CT scans to chest X-rays there was a 20% reduction in mortality using CT Scans for diagnosis.

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE?
Based on the results of this trial, in December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening for lung cancer using a low-dose CT in a specific group of patients:

• Age 55-80, who have also had a:
  • Cumulative smoking history of 30-pack years or more (Smoking one pack a day for 30 years or 2 packs a day for 15 years).
  • Who are still smoking or who have this history but stopped smoking in the last 15 years.
  • And, who are not exhibiting symptoms of lung cancer.

If you meet these criteria, you are a candidate for receiving annual low-dose CT scans.

For more information on the McLeod Lung Cancer Screening Program, click here  or call 843-777-5640.

POSSIBLE HELP

If you don’t have Medicare or private insurance or can’t afford the deductible (and meet certain financial criteria) scholarships are available from the McLeod Foundation’s McLeod Men and McLeod Angels’ groups to assist in paying for the screening.

A personal physician can refer you to the program. Or contact the McLeod Lung Nurse Navigator at 843-777-5640 who can help determine if you qualify for a scholarship from the McLeod Men or McLeod Angels.