Lung cancer screening is an early detection tool, used to catch the disease early on.
No symptoms or family history of cancer are needed to be tested. But because clinical professionals know that early detection is the leading way to catch lung cancer, we employ low-dose computed tomography (LDCT or low-dose CT scan).
Low-level radiation is used to scan the body to detect lung cancer, using detailed images.
At X-Ray Associates of New Mexico, we understand that you want answers. Our same-day imaging services reflect our commitment to caring and your wellbeing.
Lung cancer screening in Farmington
XRANM offers leading-edge lung cancer screening in Farmington. We’ve been offering New Mexico patients and doctors patient-centered services at our leading-edge facilities throughout the state for 65 years.
Over the past 20 years, we’ve debuted diagnostics which weren’t previously available in New Mexico. We’ve raised the bar to ensure that patients in our state get superior assistance and early detection of diseases like lung cancer.
Who should get screened?
The US Preventative Services Task Force’s recommendations stipulate that the following people should have a yearly lung cancer screening:
- People who have been heavy smokers or who are heavy smokers*
- People who smoke now or who have stopped smoking in the past 15 years
- People between ages 55 and 80
*Heavy smoking is defined by patients having smoked at least 1 pack of 20 cigarettes per day for 30 years or more. The same definition adheres to people who have smoked 2 packs of 20 cigarettes for 15 years or over.
What are the risks associated with screening?
Prior to booking a lung cancer screening in Farmington, patients should know that there are risks which come with the diagnostic, as follows:
- It sometimes happens that the diagnostic will produce a “false positive” (finding lung cancer when the patient doesn’t have the disease). This can trigger additional testing and even surgery which is not required.
- Testing will sometimes find cancers which represent no threat to the health of the patient. This is referred to as “overdiagnosis”, as treatment will sometimes be pursued when unnecessary.
- Multiple exposures to LDCT means multiple exposures to radiation, with the result that it’s possible cancer may be caused by the testing itself.
Because of these serious risks, lung cancer screening in Farmington is available to asymptomatic patients but only those in the high-risk groups enumerated above.
Your best defense against lung cancer is to stop smoking cigarettes. Screening is no substitute for eliminating the risk smoking represents.
Is screening sometimes not indicated?
The Preventative Services Task Force recommends that those 81 or older, or who haven’t smoked for more than 15 years, as well as people with health conditions precluding surgery (if cancer is detected), should not be screened.
XRANM offers a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art radiology diagnostics, including lung cancer screening in Farmington. We’re the leaders in New Mexico, having raised the bar for other providers in this state, bringing you the most advanced technologies currently in existence.
Contact us to book your screening.