What Is A Lung Cancer Screening Test

The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low dose computed tomography also called a low dose ct scan or ldct.

What is a lung cancer screening test. For more information see the national lung screening trial page and the pdq lung cancer screening summary. This test to screen for lung cancer has been shown to reduce lung cancer deaths among heavy smokers ages 55 to 74. These further tests can also have risks. Screening with chest x ray sputum cytology or both of these tests does not decrease the risk of dying from lung cancer.

Those can pinpoint the type of the disease and whether it has spread to other places in the body. Lung cancer screening is recommended for older adults who are longtime smokers and who don t have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer. Tests can also find lung changes that look like cancer. Ct scans of the chest provide more detailed pictures than chest x rays and are better at finding small abnormal areas in the lungs.

There is evidence that screening people based on their risk of lung cancer saves lives. Getting screening tests regularly may find breast cervical and colorectal colon cancers early when treatment is likely to work best. Information about clinical trials supported by nci can be found on nci s clinical trials search webpage. Screening external icon means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms.

The lungs are very sensitive to radiation and frequent scans might cause lung damage. But tests like this still have risks. The national lung screening trial nlst was a large clinical trial that looked at using ldct of the chest to screen for lung cancer. Chest x ray and sputum cytology are two screening tests that have been used to check for signs of lung cancer.

Who should be screened. If your screening shows you may have lung cancer your doctor will likely order diagnostic tests. This leads to further tests such as a biopsy. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk.

During an ldct scan you lie on a table and an x ray machine uses a low dose amount of radiation to make detailed images of your lungs.