Lung cancer screening can be done with a Low-Dose Computed Tomography Scan (LDCT), which is a low dose radiation assessment and utilize a three-dimensional imaging method that provides better resolution than conventional X-ray analysis.
LDCT benefit to discover further abnormalities can identify cancer cells; even if the cancer cells are still insignificant or obscured by other organs, this technique is more sensitive and have a higher quality than the conventional lung x-rays used in annual health assessments, which can detect only large of cancers with no obscured by the heart, bones or corners of the lungs.
Early-stage lung cancer screening helps to treat promptly before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and prevent the threats of radiation due to the low radiation dose application.
Advantages of LDCT
- Using only 5-2 millisievert (mSv) radiation levels, compared to 7-8 mSv of regular CT scans.
- Higher capacity to detect early-stage lung cancer than chest x-ray (CXR) and help decrease mortality from lung cancer *
Recommended screening in people with the following risks.
- 55-74 years old.
- Smoking constantly or stop smoking for shorter than 15 years or those who close to smokers.
- People who have a family history of lung cancer carry a higher risk of lung cancer even nonsmoking.
- Exposing to toxic substances from the environment, including cigarette smoke, radioactive, dust, and vapors from various metals.
* Based on studies conducted by the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) of the United States.
