Decision Aid for Lung Cancer Screening
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
What is lung cancer screening?
Lung cancer screening is a test done every year to find lung cancer early. Lung cancer is often found after it has spread to other areas of the body. By this time, it is more difficult to treat. Screening is different from diagnosis because screening is used before you have any signs or symptoms. Lung cancer screening has benefits and risks. Talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks to help you decide if lung cancer screening is right for you.
How is lung cancer screening done?
- A low-dose CT scan (LDCT) is used. LDCT uses an x-ray and a computer to give detailed pictures of your lungs. A low amount of radiation from the x-ray machine is used to take pictures of your lungs. You will lie on a table and hold your breath for a few seconds while the pictures are taken.
- You will meet with your healthcare provider to go over the results of your screening. You may need more tests to diagnose anything that showed up on the screening test.
- Lung cancer screening needs to be done each year. Even if your result shows you do not have lung cancer, it is important to continue getting screened each year. This is the best way to find a new cancer, at the earliest possible stage.
Am I a good candidate for lung cancer screening?
You may be a candidate if you do not have any other serious health conditions and the following are true:
- You are 50 years or older. Your healthcare provider may recommend screening earlier. This depends on certain risk factors. Your provider will tell you how long to have screening, usually until 77 to 80 years of age.
- You have never had lung cancer. You also do not currently have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer. Common examples are chest pain, a long-lasting cough, coughing up blood, wheezing, hoarseness, and neck swelling.
- You are a heavy smoker or quit smoking recently. You have 20 pack-years or more, or you quit less than 15 years ago. Pack-years are the number of cigarette packs you smoked multiplied by the number of years you smoked. Examples of 20 pack-years are 1 pack of cigarettes each day for 20 years, or 2 packs each day for 10 years. Your provider can help you calculate your pack-years.
- You are willing to have treatment if screening shows signs of lung cancer. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
- You are willing to have screening every year. Screening will stop if you have not smoked for 15 years, no longer agree to treatment, or develop another condition. Screening will also stop if you are older than the recommended age limit.
What are the benefits of lung cancer screening?
- LDCT can find lung cancer early. The cancer may be treated with less invasive surgery, or less lung tissue may need to be removed.
- LDCT may lower your risk for death from lung cancer or some other conditions. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. LDCT may lower your risk of death from lung cancer because the cancer is found early. LDCT may also find signs of other treatable health problems.
- LDCT is not invasive. The scan is not painful and takes a short amount of time.
What are the risks of lung cancer screening?
- LDCT exposes you to a small amount of radiation that can increase your risk for cancer. The amount is less than is given during a mammogram. It is about the same amount you get from the sun in a year. Your total radiation exposure over time is increased because you will need to be screened every year.
- The risk for a false-positive result is about 23%. False-positive means screening shows you have lung cancer, but follow-up tests show that you do not. You may get tests or treatments that are not needed. It can also be stressful to think you have lung cancer when you do not.
- The risk for a false-negative result is about 4%. False-negative means screening shows you do not have cancer, but you do. A false-negative result can keep you from getting treatment as early as possible.
- Screening may lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Tumors may be found that are not life-threatening. Some forms of cancer grow quickly and need to be treated. Other forms grow slowly and may not be life-threatening. About 10% of people with lung cancer receive treatment that was not needed.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider to help me make a decision about screening?
- How high is my risk for lung cancer?
- What are my pack-years?
- Will I be able to help create my treatment plan if screening shows I have lung cancer?
- Will my insurance cover screening?
- Where is the screening done?
- Do I need to do anything to get ready to have screening?
- When and how do I get the results of my screening?
What do I need to think about before I decide to have lung cancer screening?
- Do I understand the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening? Do I think the benefits are greater than the risks?
- How will I feel if I find out I have lung cancer? Am I willing to get surgery or other treatment I may need? Screening will stop if I am no longer willing to have treatment. Will I be comfortable with my decision not to have treatment, and to stop having screening?
- How will I feel if the test results are wrong? I may get a false-positive or false-negative result.
- Am I willing to have screening every year? Annual screening happens until I am no longer a good candidate or develop another condition.
What do I need to know about quitting smoking?
If you currently smoke, it is very important that you try to quit. If you already quit smoking, it is important that you do not start smoking again. You will also need to avoid secondhand smoke from others. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars increase your risk for cancer. Your risk for lung cancer gets lower each year that you do not smoke. Even if you get lung cancer screening every year, it is still important not to smoke. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. You can find support and more information here:
- Smokefree.gov
Phone: 1- 800 - 784-8669
Web Address: www.smokefree.gov
Where can I find support and more information about lung cancer?
- American Lung Association
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington , DC 20004
Phone: 1- 202 - 785-3355
Phone: 1- 800 - 548-8252
Web Address: www.lung.org
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