Expert Video - What is screening for lung cancer?

Screening for lung cancer means looking for lung cancer using a screening technique in individuals that do not currently have lung cancer, but who may be at risk for lung cancer. In the US, screening is approved for patients older than 55 years of age and also have smoked greater than 30 pack years of cigarettes in their lifetime. “Pack years” is defined by the number of packs smoked X(multiplied by) the number of years smoked. For this group, screening is associated with better outcomes. Other individuals might benefit from screening however this is an area still being studied. The technique used for screening involves the use of CAT scans (with Low Dose radiation). These have a much lower amount of radiation exposure than a typical diagnostic CAT scan (or CT scan).

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