For patients at higher risk for lung cancer such as long-time heavy smokers, screening for lung cancer can be a good opportunity for early detection. A lung cancer screening tests for cancer before a patient presents any symptoms to potentially catch the disease at an early stage when it will be easiest to treat.
According to the American Cancer Society, those at the highest risk for a diagnosis and who may benefit the most from a lung cancer screening are:
- Current or former smokers
- In the age group of 55 to 74 years
- With a smoking history of at least 1 pack a day for 30 years or 2 packs a day for 15 years
Before undergoing a lung cancer screening, you should discuss your complete health history with your doctor to determine the possible benefits and risks of testing. Lung cancer screenings can have some radiation risk and may not be necessary for all candidates.
At Austin CyberKnife, our team of experienced radiation oncologists can offer a second opinion for treatment, should your lung screening test be positive for lung cancer. Austin CyberKnife treats lung tumors with an advanced nonsurgical procedure called stereotactic body radiation therapy. During treatment, precisely focused beams of radiation are delivered to the tumor from a variety of angles without incisions or sedation. Lung cancer is among the most frequently treated diseases at our center.
Read our lung cancer blog series for more information about lung cancer, screenings, treatments and support resources.
This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.