According to NCDHHS, it is estimated that 9,247 people in North Carolina will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 5,671 people will die from lung cancer this year. Treatment is usually most successful when cancer is detected early.
Screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce lung cancer deaths by about 20% compared to standard chest x-ray among current or former heavy smokers.
Findings from a 20-year international study indicate that discovering lung cancer early with annual low-dose computed tomography greatly improves long-term survival rates to 80%.
Lung cancer screening is recommended if:
- between 50 and 80 years old.
- has a 20 pack-year history. This means patients will be eligible if they, for example, smoke one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years and
- currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
As we wrap up Lung Cancer Awareness Month, observed annually in November, we encourage you to screen your patients.
For more information, including resources, click here.