Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, killing more men and women than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. In fact, lung cancer makes up nearly 25% of all cancer deaths according to the American Cancer Society.
It’s as scary as it sounds, but there is good news. The number of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer is declining and the survival rate of those diagnosed is increasing. That’s because more people are quitting smoking—and advances in lung cancer screening make it easier than ever to detect lung cancer early. In addition, it’s quick and simple to find out if you’re eligible for a screening often covered by insurance.
3D pictures of your lungs can reveal small abnormalities before symptoms appear.
Today, doctors can find signs of lung cancer before you experience symptoms using modern x-ray technology called a low-dose computed tomography scan, or LDCT scan. During an LDCT scan, a radiologist takes x-rays of the lungs from multiple angles, creating a 2D image of your lungs and the surrounding areas.
These images are so detailed that doctors can see tiny spots, called nodules. Most nodules are smaller than half an inch and aren’t cancerous, but annual lung cancer screening can track them over time. A growing nodule may be a sign of cancer, so a change in size may prompt your doctor to further evaluate a suspicious nodule.
