What should you know about lung cancer screening age?

Screening looks for lung cancer before symptoms appear. A clinician reviews your age, current or past tobacco use, the amount and duration of that exposure, and whether you could safely have follow-up testing or treatment. The usual screening test is a low-dose CT scan, which uses imaging to look for changes in the lungs. Screening is different from a diagnostic scan ordered because of symptoms such as persistent cough, coughing blood, chest pain, or unexplained breathlessness.

Write down when you started smoking, whether you still smoke, and when you stopped if you quit. Include cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco exposure. Ask whether screening is appropriate for your health situation and how often it should be repeated if recommended. If an image shows an area needing attention, the next step may be repeat imaging or another test; an abnormal screening result does not by itself confirm cancer. You can read more about Lung Cancer and diagnostic options such as Genomic Tumour Profiling.

Do not wait for a screening appointment if you cough up blood, have severe or sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or a new symptom that is worsening. A hoarse voice that persists also deserves assessment; screening is intended for people without concerning symptoms and should not delay a clinical review.

Am I eligible for screening based on my age and smoking history? What would this scan show, and what happens if it finds a nodule? Should I stop smoking or seek help to do so?