While breast cancer is found primarily in women and prostate cancer, primarily in men, about 13% of all reported cancer diagnoses are of the lung. Lung cancer is the second leading type of cancer in both women and men. US statistics for lung cancer encompass 228,000 new cases of the disease, reports the American Cancer Society.
This figure leans slightly toward men. As most reading will know, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. More people die of this type of cancer each year than from colon, prostate and breast cancers combined. Lung cancer, it should be noted, affects mostly older people, with diagnoses occurring after age 65. 70 is the average age for a lung cancer diagnosis. Lung cancer can be successfully treated with early diagnosis. There are nearly 500,000 survivors of lung cancer in the USA today.
NLCST – Lung Cancer Screening Trial
The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial gauged the efficacy of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) of the chest as a lung cancer screening diagnostic. CT scans are proven to be more effective than chest x-rays, especially for pinpointing small anomalies in the lungs, due to its high-quality images. The NLCST examined chest x-rays against LDCT in patients with a high risk of lung cancer to see if LDCT improved outcomes. 50,000 participants (aged 55 to 74) took part in the trial. All participants were smokers or had stopped smoking and were in good health. Qualification for the trial required that subjects had a 30 pack-year history of cigarette smoking (30 pack-year denoting, “smoked a pack a day for 30 years” but could also signify “2 packs a day for 15 years”).
Trial Results
Participants received either 3 chest x-rays or 3 LDCTs every year, during the multi-year trial. As the trial moved forward, it was discovered that subjects screened with LDCT were 20% less likely to die from lung cancer than those who received chest x-rays, empirically proving LDCT’s diagnostic superiority to x-rays.
American Cancer Society Guidelines
American Cancer Society guidelines counsel yearly lung cancer screening for people between the ages of 55 and 74, who meet the following criteria:
- Still smoke or quit smoking in the past 15 years
- 30-pack year smoking history
- Are trying to stop smoking now
- Understand the limitations of LDCT and its risks
- May be screened at a facility with proven expertise in the delivery of lung cancer screening and treatment
Lung cancer screening Albuquerque – Lung Cancer Diagnostics
X-Ray Associates of Albuquerque’s team is comprised of acknowledged experts in the delivery of lung cancer diagnostic services. Our patients are supported by our 6 clinics throughout New Mexico. XRANM brings patients state-of-the-art technologies, using only the most advanced diagnostics currently available. XRANM is here to serve our patients, bringing them to care that centers their needs, including our same-day diagnostic service. We understand that you need answers quickly. Contact us here.
XRANM
Lung cancer diagnostics and screening are available at our clinics, using the latest, most leading-edge equipment. For more than 65 years, XRANM HAS been serving New Mexico patients with radiological excellence. Contact us.
