Early detection lung protection

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. It claims about 130,000 lives each year.

Jason McClune, MD, an interventional pulmonologist at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, said lung cancer screenings are an effective tool for diagnosing the disease at an early stage, which allows patients to be evaluated for surgery before the cancer spreads.

Low-dose CT lung scans

Lung cancer screenings are low-dose CT scans, meaning they provide a clear image of the lungs with reduced radiation exposure. They are covered by Medicare and many insurance plans for people who meet the following criteria:

• Are between 50 and 77 years old
• Have smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 20 years (known as a “20-pack-year” history)
• Currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years

For many patients, the scan itself takes less than 10 minutes and can offer peace of mind. Results are typically available within a few days, allowing doctors to move quickly if anything looks concerning.

“It’s fast, painless and noninvasive,” Dr. McClune said. “For most people, it’s one of the easiest and most valuable steps they can take for their health.”

Benefits of early detection

Early detection opens the door to more treatment options and better outcomes.

“We often hear about mammograms catching breast cancer early, but lung cancer screenings are equally important for people who meet these criteria," said Dr. McClune. "When caught during stage 1, the survival rate for lung cancer is about 70% or better.”

Waiting for symptoms to appear because you’re nervous will mean that the cancer is already in a later stage, making it more difficult to treat.

“Many people may be hesitant to get screened because they fear the unknown and are afraid their screening may result in a cancer diagnosis,” Dr. McClune said. “However, being proactive and getting the screening done is much better than waiting for symptoms to appear. The earlier cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat and cure.”

Advanced treatments after screening

Subrato Deb, MD, MPH, Thoracic Surgery chief at Baptist MD Anderson, and the Thoracic Oncology team have tools at their disposal to quickly and easily diagnose and treat early-stage lung cancers after a CT screening. Baptist MD Anderson is the first cancer center in North Florida to have a robot-assisted bronchoscope, which is used to reach cancers on the outside of the lungs and conduct biopsies on them.

“When we find cancer early, we can often remove it surgically with minimally invasive techniques,” said Dr. Deb. “That means smaller incisions, quicker recovery and better outcomes for patients.”