Ask A Magnet Nurse

Lung Cancer Screening For High Risk But Asymptomatic Ex-Smokers Is Recommended Yearly

Kaitlyn Youmans, RN
Advanced Thoracic Oncology Center
Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion

Smart Living: What is a lung cancer screening? Is it like a mammogram or a colonoscopy?

Kaitlyn Youmans: It is similar to those screenings in that it is recommended yearly for certain patients and can help us detect lung cancer at an earlier stage. But unlike a colonoscopy, for example, there is no prep work or anesthesia involved. Basically, a patient will receive a CT-scan, which means simply laying on a table that slides into a circular opening in order to acquired advanced imaging of the lungs. There is a low dose of radiation with the scan but the procedure is painless and the actual scan takes less than five minutes.

With lung cancer, there are not often many symptoms until the disease is advanced. That is why we hope to spread the word about this screening. If you’ve quit smoking for a while and feel pretty healthy, this is probably not at the forefront of your mind. But if you fit the criteria, we hope that it is something you speak with your doctor about, because it can find nodules or changes before you have symptoms.

SL: What is the current criteria for the lung screening program?

KY: Luckily, the guidelines are improving—for example, the age range used to be 55-80 years old, but they have changed the guidelines and opened them up for people between 50-80 years old. The person should be a current smoker or someone who quit less than 15 years ago. They should have a history of at least 20 pack years. One pack year is equal to smoking a pack a day for a year.

But I want to add that if you have dealt with years of secondhand smoke, or if you had a military career and were exposed to burn pits, it is still a good idea to talk with your doctor about possibly getting screened as well.

SL: You mentioned that lung cancer being asymptomatic early on may be why some people neglect to get screened. Are there any other reasons people might put if off?

KY: There is still a bit of a stigma attached to it because people are afraid of what might be found, and they will also blame themselves for all of those years of smoking. But I try to remind people that you’re not alone in this—many, many people are smokers or former smokers. And this screening is a proactive way for high risk patients to make sure their lungs are healthy.

For more information about lung cancer screening eligibility, call Kaitlyn Youmans at 912-819-5169.