Early screening is the key to preventing lung cancer

Early screening is the key to preventing lung cancer.  In the face of any cancer, early detection, early treatment and early cure are the best choices.

Malignant tumor is a major chronic disease threatening life and health.  Among them, lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, ranking first in the incidence and death of malignant tumors in the world.

The latest research shows that through low-dose spiral CT screening, male lung cancer mortality rate is reduced by 24%, and female lung cancer mortality rate is reduced by 33%.

Evidence shows that low-dose spiral CT screening (LDCT) for people at high risk of lung cancer can detect lung cancer early, improve prognosis, and reduce lung cancer mortality.

What measures should be taken for lung cancer screening?

Currently in the lung cancer screening guidelines or consensus published globally, LDCT is recommended as a screening method. Compared with X-ray examination, LDCT can significantly increase the detection rate of stage I lung cancer and reduce lung cancer-related mortality.

Although chest X-rays have certain diagnostic value for lung cancer, they are not suitable for lung cancer screening due to their low sensitivity.

Who needs to be screened for lung cancer?

Lung cancer screening should be carried out in people at high risk of lung cancer. People at high risk of lung cancer are between 50-74 years old and meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Smoking package years ≥ 30 package years, smoking package years = number of packages smoked per day (20 per package) x number of smoking years;
• Living with condition 1 or working in the same room passive smoking> 20 years;
• Suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Have a history of occupational exposure ≥ 1 year, including exposure to asbestos, radon, beryllium, chromium, cadmium, silicon, soot and soot;
• A first-degree relative was diagnosed with lung cancer. First-degree relatives refer to parents, children, and siblings (same parents).

What procedures should be included when organizing lung cancer screening?

The process of lung cancer screening mainly includes informed consent, questionnaire survey, risk assessment, LDCT screening and result management.

How to check the nodules detected by the annual screening

• If no non-calcified nodules in the lungs are detected (negative) or the nodules have not grown, it is recommended to enter the next year’s screening;
• If the original nodules increase or the solid components increase, it is recommended to consider clinical intervention;
• For newly discovered airway disease, sputum cytology or fiberoptic bronchoscopy is recommended;
• If a new non-calcified nodule is found, and the average diameter of the nodule is >3.0 mm, it is recommended to review it after 3 months;
• A new non-calcified nodule is found, and the average diameter of the nodule is ≤3.0 mm. It is recommended to review it after 6 months.

Sum up:

In the face of any cancer, early detection, early treatment and early cure are the best choices. Therefore, from the perspective of saving lives, prevention and screening may be more important than treatment. Currently for lung cancer screening, the only recommended by the authority is low-dose spiral CT screening. If you find a nodule that definitely needs further observation or examination, please follow the doctor’s advice.

(source:internet, reference only)

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