Low-dose CT lung screening is an early cancer detection tool, used to find the disease in its earliest stages.
No symptoms or family cancer history are required to be tested. But because we know that early detection offers the best chance to effectively treat cancer, we use low-dose computed tomography (low-dose CT scan or LDCT).
Low levels of l radiation are used to scan the body to find lung cancer, with highly-detailed images.
At X-Ray Associates of New Mexico, we know you need answers. Our same-day imaging reflects our commitment to caring.
Low-dose CT Lung Screening Alamogordo
XRANM offers advanced low-dose CT lung screening Alamogordo. We’ve been bringing New Mexico patients and doctors patient-centered care at our clinics throughout New Mexico for 65 years.
Over the last 2 decades, we’ve pioneers diagnostics which were not available in New Mexico. We’ve changed the game to ensure that patients in this state get world-care assistance and early detection of illnesses like lung cancer.
Should I Get Screened?
The US Preventative Services Task Force’s recommendations state that people meeting the following descriptions should be screened:
- Those who have either smoke heavily in the past or who currently smoke heavily*
- People who continue to smoke or who quit within the past 15 years
- People between 55 and 80 years-of-age
*Heavy smoking is means patients who have smoked at least 1 pack of 20 cigarettes every day for 30 years or more. People who have smoked 2 packs of 20 cigarettes for 15 years or more are in the same category.
Are There Risks Involved?
Prior to scheduling your low-dose CT lung screening Alamogordo, patients should be aware that there are certain risks which come with this test, as follows:
- It may happen that the diagnostic will render a “false positive” (detecting lung cancer when the patient doesn’t have the disease). This can mean more testing and even surgery which is unnecessary.
- Testing sometimes detects cancers which don’t threaten the health of the patient. This is referred to by clinicians as “overdiagnosis”, as therapy will sometimes be applied when unnecessary.
- Repeated exposure to LDCT means repeated exposure to radiation, with the result that patients run the risk of testing-induced cancer.
Because of these health risks, low-dose CT lung screening Alamogordo is offered to patients with no symptoms or family history, but only those in the high-risk groups shown above.
Your best defense against lung cancer is quitting smoking. Screening is no substitute for eliminating the serious health risk cigarette smoking represents.
Who Shouldn’t Be Screened?
The Preventative Services Task Force has recommended that people 81 or older, or who haven’t smoked for over 15 years, as well as people with health complications which preclude surgery (if cancer is found), shouldn’t be screened.
XRANM offers a full range of world-class radiology diagnostics, including low-dose CT lung screening Alamogordo. We’re the New Mexico leaders, having raised the bar for other providers in our state, offering you the most up-to-the-minutes technologies available anywhere.
Contact us to schedule your low-dose CT lung screening.