Lung Cancer Screening

Because Early Detection Can Save Lives

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women – about 1 in 4 deaths in cancer are from lung cancer. Despite the serious prognosis of lung cancer, those who are diagnosed early have a much higher chance of being cured.

The Lung Cancer Screening service at Breathe Clinic helps those who are at high risk have the ability to identify early lung cancers through early testing before symptoms develop. Our goal is to educate patients about the risks and benefits of screening so that patients can make the best decision for them.

The screening is performed using a low dose CT scan with lower doses of radiation than a regular CT scan. This is to minimize any potential harmful side effects of the scan.

The following types of people should consider lung cancer screening:

Benefits of Lung Cancer Screening

High risk individuals who have yearly low dose CT scans can reduce their risk of lung cancer death by 20%. (According to the National Lung Screening Trial published in 2011.)

Risks of Lung Cancer Screening

High risk patients may undergo unnecessary tests and procedures because of non-cancer abnormalities that may show up on a screening.

Almost 25% of high risk patients will have abnormalities that appear on a screening; however, only 3% to 4% of these occurrences are due to lung cancer.