Why Lung Cancer Screenings are Important, Even if You Quit Smoking Years Ago
November 08, 2023 | Tags:
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. More people in the U.S. die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's why screening is so important, especially as you get older.
Even people who quit smoking many years ago are still at risk for developing lung cancer.
“If you quit smoking 15-plus years ago, you still have a four-out-of-10 chance of getting lung cancer,” said Dr. Linda Patterson, Manager, Utilization Management Medical Director at Medical Mutual. “Lung cancer risk decreases within five years of quitting smoking, but smokers are three-times more likely to get lung cancer than people who never smoked.
In November 2023, the American Cancer Society joined the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in recommending more adults undergo screening for lung cancer.
Who Should Get Screened for Lung Cancer
Lung cancer screening is a test designed to catch lung cancer early, before symptoms are present. The USPSTF recommends an annual lung cancer screening for adults who match the following criteria:
- Are age 50 to 80.
- Have a 20 “pack year” smoking history. (The National Cancer Institute defines a “pack year” as smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. Twenty pack years is the equivalent of smoking one pack of cigarettes each day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years).
- Currently smoke or quit smoking within the past 15 years.
“The key to surviving lung cancer is catching it in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable,” Dr. Patterson said. “For patients who have small, early-stage lung cancer, the cure rate can be as high as 80% to 90%.”
As with any type of cancer screening, you should first have a conversation with your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP can discuss with you the risks and if lung cancer screening is right for you.
How a Lung Cancer Screening is Performed
Lung cancer screening tests is done using a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. An LDCT scan is a type of X-ray that uses a lower amount of radiation than a traditional CT scan.
During an LDCT scan, you will lie on a table and a scanner will move around your body to take pictures of your lungs. The scan takes several minutes and is not painful.
“The earlier the cancer is identified and treated, the better the chances for survival,” Dr. Patterson said.
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking can improve your health and overall quality of life. Besides lung cancer, smoking is associated with heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses. For more information and help quitting, visit smokefree.gov.
Make an Appointment
Most preventive care, like lung cancer screenings, is covered by your Medical Mutual health plan. Start by talking with your PCP. Call your provider to schedule an appointment. If you need help finding a provider covered by your Medical Mutual health plan, log in to My Health Plan and use our Find a Provider tool or call the Customer Care number on your ID card.