Lung cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the United States, responsible for one in four cancer deaths. Despite the availability of life-saving early detection through screening, a new study finds fewer than 20% of eligible patients are getting the test they need.
While many people are familiar with screenings like mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, lung cancer screening is less widely known. However, it has been proven to significantly reduce lung cancer-related deaths when administered early -- by up to 20%, according to Dr. Johannes Kratz, a thoracic cancer surgeon and medical director of robotic surgery at UCSF Health.
Despite these compelling results, many people are unaware that such a screening exists or that it could save their lives. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends screenings for various cancers, has only recently included lung cancer as part of its official guidelines.
"It's a knowledge barrier both in physicians and patients that there is this test. But it is lifesaving," Dr. Kratz told KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer on this week's episode of "As Prescribed."
Lung cancer screening is primarily intended for individuals who meet certain criteria. According to Dr. Kratz, eligible candidates typically fall into the following categories:
•Age: 50 to 80 years old
•Tobacco Exposure: A history of smoking at least 30 pack-years (equivalent to smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years)
•Recent Smoking History: Smokers must have quit within the past 15 years
"But if you meet those three criteria, then yes, not only has lung cancer screening proven to be a benefit for you, but insurance should cover you for a lung cancer screening test," he said.
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And the test is simple and painless. A low-dose CT scan is the most common screening tool used. Dr. Kratz said this type of scan is fast, non-invasive, and exposes the patient to only a small amount of radiation—comparable to a few X-rays.
"There are no IVs that could get put in. There's nothing administered into the body. There's simply a number of pictures that are taken," he explained. "It can be as quick as 90 seconds to get one of these CT scans."
Lung cancer often presents with vague and common symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, which can easily be dismissed as other, less serious conditions. By the time many individuals exhibit symptoms serious enough to seek medical attention, the cancer is often in its later, harder-to-treat stages. That's why early screening can really be a game-changer.
"The key to lung cancer screening and the reason it's effective is because you're finding these tumors at a stage where patients are not symptomatic, and we're finding earlier and earlier stage tumors that are treatable," said Dr. Kratz.
Listen to this week's "As Prescribed" to learn more. You can also listen to last week's episode to hear about what you can do to protect yourself from the whooping cough case spike, here.
“As Prescribed” is sponsored by UCSF.
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