How Regular CT Screening Will Reduce Your Health Risk
QHHL 
Apr 26 2019
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0 QHHL
Early intervention is key to overcoming lung cancer but catching it early can be difficult. That’s why a new study is emphasizing the importance of regular CT Screening.
Any type of cancer is frightening and life threatening, and lung cancer is no exception to this. As with most cancers, early diagnosis and intervention is key to a good outcome. However, lung cancer can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. This is a serious problem because later stages are harder to treat and present a bigger life risk. That’s why new research into the role of regular CT screening in lung cancer diagnosis is so important. Here’s what you need to know to minimize this serious health risk.
Lung cancer is a serious problem in America. It makes up around 13 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers. There are two types of lung cancer, small cell and non-small cell. When the mortality numbers of these lung cancers are combined, they reveal the second most common cancer in men and women. This doesn’t include the different types of skin cancers. It’s also by far the most common cause of cancer related deaths amongst men and women.
Lung cancer is most common in older people, with an average diagnosis age of 70. With this type of cancer, the survival rates depend heavily on the stage of the cancer when it’s diagnosed. Early diagnosis is absolutely essential to a good outcome, which is why research into new ways to detect it are ongoing.
One of the most effective ways to diagnose lung cancer is by CT screening. A CT scan, also known as computed tomography or CAT scan, uses low doses protocols to X-ray the lungs. This can detect abnormal tissues long before physical symptoms appear. CT lung scans are relatively safe despite the radiation.
Regular CT screening is the absolute best way to detect lung cancer early. And a new study has just been released that shows just how essential this is in detecting lung cancer and improving the survival rate.
In a new study, researchers worked with smokers and other people at high risk of lung cancer. They implemented a regular schedule of CT screening over ten years to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy. This was the first time that screening had been extended across that length of time, and the results were promising. The high health risk group showed a 39 percent lower risk of mortality from lung cancer. This prompted the researchers to recommend a biennial screening regiment. This would allow for early diagnosis of lung cancer as well as controlled radiation exposure.
The results of this study show that regular screening is key to a positive outcome. However, this doesn’t reduce this health risk enough. Unfortunately, even with annual screenings, lung cancer can develop in the time between the examinations. Theoretically, this could allow a year for cancer growth. But increasing the frequency of CT scanning isn’t the solution either because of the radiation. Annual screenings are fairly safe, but the risk of harmful radiation exposure goes up with more frequent testing.
Another possibility is the use of MRI machines to take images. MRI’s don’t use radiation to take images, which is why they’re often used when frequent screening is required. However, the price of an MRI examination is extremely high. For many people, this may put regular exams out of reach.
For people who are at high risk of developing lung cancer, regular CT scanning is the best option at the moment. By setting up annual appointments, you can increase your chances of an early diagnosis and more effective treatment. However, this advice isn’t only for smokers, people exposed to harmful chemicals, or those with a family history of lung cancer. These groups may be at the most risk of developing cancer, but almost anyone can get it. That’s why you need to learn to evaluate your own health risk factors. This will allow you to estimate your lung cancer probability and monitor yourself for obvious signs.
Early signs of lung cancer can include a regular cough, breathing problems, voice changes, or an unusual cough. It is very hard to detect early signs of this type of cancer. However, using self-monitoring strategies as well as devices and apps could help you detect the earliest signs. And then you can take the data to your doctor for a fast and accurate diagnosis.
If you’re concerned about a health risk, try using HomeLab to keep track of your condition and any preventative measures you take. And if you see signs of a significant problem, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Tags: health risk, lung cancer, CT screening