Lung Cancer Screening

What is Lung Cancer Screening?

Lung cancer screening is a diagnostic testing procedure that allows your provider to determine if you have lung cancer. 

Your doctor may recommend you undergo lung cancer screening if you’re a smoker, have smoked in the past, were exposed to second-hand smoke, or have a family history of lung disease. Early detection and treatment give you the best chance of recovering from lung cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of Lung Cancer?

If you have lung cancer, you may not experience any signs or symptoms. If you do, however, you might notice:

• A new or persistent cough
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Headaches
• Bone pain
• Generalized pain
• Nausea

Cancer that spreads beyond your lungs isn’t often curable. That’s why early detection and treatment are crucial.

How should I prepare for Lung Cancer Screening?

To prepare for a lung cancer screening at Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center, remove any jewelry, hearing aids, dentures, and glasses. Avoid wearing clothes with metal snaps, buttons, or underwire bras. If you do, you can change into a hospital gown.

What happens during Lung Cancer Screening?

During a lung cancer screening, you relax on your back on a comfortable table. Your provider asks you to lie very still as the table you’re on slides through a machine that develops images of your lungs. 

You may have to hold your breath briefly during the procedure, and you might hear clicking or knocking sounds. While the scanning process often takes less than a minute to complete, your appointment might last about 30 minutes.

What should I expect after Lung Cancer Screening?

There’s no downtime after lung cancer screening; you can go about your normal daily routine right away. Your doctor reviews the results of your screening. They let you know if you have cancer and require further diagnostic testing or lung cancer treatment.

How can I reduce my risk of Lung Cancer?

Key things you can do to reduce your risk of developing lung cancer are:

• Don’t smoke
• Avoid second-hand smoke
• Eliminate exposure to radon gas
• Avoid workplace asbestos exposure
• Undergo periodic lung cancer screening

Your risk of lung cancer increases with previous radiation therapy and a family history of lung cancer.

Don’t let lung cancer go undetected and untreated. To schedule lung cancer screening, call the nearest Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center office or schedule an appointment online today.