Detecting Early Stages of Lung Cancer Might Come Down to this Test

By Erica Chutko

Did you know breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States? As a result, the American Cancer Society recommends women over the age of 40 should at least consider getting yearly mammograms. Mammograms can help prevent breast cancer, which can be credited with one of the reasons that the 5 – year survival rate is can be as high as 90% plus. It’s all about early detection. Did you also know that not only is lung cancer the 2nd most common form of cancer in the United States, but it’s also the leading cause of cancer related deaths? Knowing this, is there an imaging test that can help detect lung cancer? Thankfully, the answer is yes – a CT scan.

What is a CT scan?

Commonly referred to as a CAT scan or computed tomography scan, CT scans produce a number of detailed and efficient computerized x-rays of the body. If contrast dye is ordered by the physician, the technologist with use a small needle to place an intravenous line into the arm. For those not familiar with the test, patients lie down and enter through what looks like a tunnel, sometimes even doughnut-shaped. Even though the machine is large and makes humming noises, it will not touch your body during the scan. A radiology technologist will operate the scanner. During the test, a low dose of radiation is used to take images that are then sent to a computer for a more detailed look at different portions of the body.  The computer puts the images together to make a 3 dimensional (3D) image. The dose of radiation is low and safe as possible, but still gives the best quality for the images.

What can a CT scan detect?

The minimally invasive test can diagnose, detect, and evaluate a host of diseases and injuries. A CT scan is often used to investigate head injuries or acute neurological symptoms, evaluate chronic sinus symptoms or hearing loss. It can diagnose appendicitis and evaluate masses.  Your doctor may request a CT scan to obtain specific diagnostic information that is not provided by or is complementary to other imaging technologies. Those include x-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whether your doctor is looking for muscle disorders, broken bones, internal injury, bleeding, or for the purpose of this discussion the location of tumors, including cancer.

What are some general guidelines to follow when having a CT scan?

1. Notify the radiology department of any illness such as cold, cough, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. They may need to reschedule your appointment if you are an outpatient.

2. Notify the radiology technologist about all allergies or any previous drug reaction that may keep you from receiving contrast if needed.

3. Notify the radiology technologist if you have severe kidney disease or are on kidney dialysis due to risks from the contrast.

4. Dress in comfortable clothing with no metal snaps, belt buckles, or zippers. In the case of CT scans of the head, metal hair clips and jewelry must be removed.

Prevention is the key.

How well do you know your body? Only you will know when chest pain is different, wheezing or a cough is more than allergies, and other symptoms just won’t subside. These symptoms and others are why it’s so important to have a good relationship with your primary care provider. An annual physical will allow you the opportunity to continue a dialogue and bring up concerns or simply questions you might have. If these symptoms develop throughout the year, even if you’ve already had your annual physical, you should contact your primary care provider immediately. Early detection is crucial, and it’s one of the reasons the 5 – year survival rate for lung cancer is so low, because detection is typically not found until the later stages.

What should you be looking for? You’ve probably guessed it already and can assume many of the early symptoms of concern center around your chest and throat. Chest pain, shortness of breath, a worsening cough, and even a hoarse voice might be signs that you need to call your doctor.

In fact, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual lung cancer screening for people those at high risk. These would be individuals who smoked 1 pack per day for 20 years and still smoke or who quit in the last 15 years and are age 50 – 80. The annual surveillance has demonstrated some success in catching lung cancer very early. This early detection can lead to higher survival rate.

Now that you know a CT scan can help detect lung cancer, you should also know how to avoid it in the first place. By now you’ve probably seen an ad that discusses smoking and its dangers. That’s because smoking tobacco products causes 8 to 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer. While radon, a family history of lung cancer, and asbestos are said to be some of the other causes, so is secondhand smoke. If you want to be serious about avoiding lung cancer, you have to be serious about avoiding tobacco products altogether.

Erica Chutko is the director of radiology and cardiac services at Medina Memorial Hospital. Community Health Resource is a monthly informational feature by healthcare providers at Orleans Community Health – MMH.