Annual lung screening recommended for people at high risk | News, Sports, Jobs

Ganga Ranasuriya

One in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime. As the leading cause of cancer death in the US, lung cancer is a serious threat, but early detection and treatment can save lives. Most cases of early-stage lung cancer are either asymptomatic or have minimal symptoms, so catching the disease in stage 1 offers the best chance of a cure. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the cancer is often more advanced, making successful treatment more difficult.

Guidelines for lung cancer screening

The American Cancer Society recommends lung cancer screenings for people over age 50 with a history of smoking a pack a day for 20 or more years. This includes current smokers and those who have quit within the last 15 years. The main screening method is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), a type of CT scan that uses low-dose radiation to create detailed images of the lungs. The scan is quick, non-invasive and painless and is designed to detect lung nodules – abnormal growths of tissue that can increase the risk of lung cancer.

If a lump or abnormality is found, doctors may recommend a lung biopsy. This procedure can be performed using various methods, including a biopsy needle, endoscopy, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), or robotic bronchoscopy. While most lung nodules are noncancerous, regular monitoring is important to make sure they don’t develop into lung cancer. A doctor or lung specialist can help assess your risk and decide the best course of action.

Types and treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer treatment varies depending on the type and stage of the disease. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. It is important to work closely with your oncologist to understand your treatment options and potential side effects. Asking questions and staying informed can help you feel more in control of your treatment.

There are different types of lung cancer, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most common, accounting for about 85% of cases. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is more aggressive and accounts for about 15% of lung cancers, often located in the central areas of the lungs or chest, and is usually treated without surgery. A rare form of lung cancer is carcinoid tumors, which arise from neuroendocrine cells in the lungs and are usually treated with surgery.

Why

Screening matters

More people die from lung cancer each year than from breast, prostate and colorectal cancer combined. More than three-quarters of these deaths could have been prevented if the cancer had been detected at an early stage. Unfortunately, only 15% of lung cancer cases are detected early enough. For those diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, the five-year survival rate is only about 5 percent.

Early detection of cancer helps ensure that it is still “localized” or contained in the lungs. Once it has spread outside the lungs, the survival rate is only three percent. Because there are usually no symptoms until after the cancer has spread outside the lungs, proactive risk-based screening is the best tool in the fight against lung cancer. Talk to your primary care provider to determine your lung cancer risk and eligibility for lung cancer screening.

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Ganga Ranasuriya, MD, is with UPMC Pulmonology and sees patients at UPMC Williamsport, 700 High St., Williamsport. To make an appointment with Dr. Ranasuriya, call 570-321-3580. To learn more about UPMC’s Pulmonary Services at the North Hospital, go to UPMC.com/LungNCPA.