World Lung Cancer Day is celebrated worldwide every year on August 1st . The main objective of this day is to raise awareness about lung health and alert people to this dangerous disease. According to NCBI reports, approximately 17% of all deaths worldwide are due to lung cancer. While smoking is considered the biggest cause, air pollution is also a significant factor. Surprisingly, many people smoke throughout their lives and do not develop cancer, while some who do not smoke at all are also vulnerable to this serious disease. Therefore, it is natural to question who should undergo lung cancer screening and when.
Getting a full body checkup or X-ray every year is not enough: Dr Vikas Mittal
Dr. Vikas Mittal, Director of the Pulmonology Department at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, says that lung cancer screening isn’t for everyone. Many people think that if they get a full body checkup or a simple chest X-ray once a year, lung cancer will be easily detected. But the reality is quite the opposite. Screening is always done for people who don’t yet have any symptoms but are at a high risk for the disease.
Who should definitely get lung cancer screening done?
According to doctors, certain criteria have been set for lung cancer screening:
- Age: Usually people between the ages of 50 and 80 fall under its scope.
- Smoking history: Individuals who have smoked heavily for a long period of time (i.e., a smoking history of 20 pack-years or more).
- Current status: People who still smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years should consult a doctor and get screened.
The main purpose of screening is not to treat any disease, but to detect cancer in its early stage , when the patient is not feeling any physical discomfort.
What is a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan?
A low-dose CT (LDCT) scan is used to detect lung cancer early . This is not a typical chest X-ray or routine full-dose CT scan.
- The amount of radiation in it is very less.
- If a person is eligible for screening, it is usually done every year as per the doctor’s advice.
If you have these symptoms, don’t wait to get screened!
Experts say that if a person is already experiencing certain symptoms, it’s not a matter of screening, but rather an immediate call to see a doctor. These symptoms include:
- persistent and chronic cough
- coughing up blood
- Rapid weight loss for no apparent reason
- persistent chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or new shortness of breath
If such symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor without delay and undergo a comprehensive examination. Timely, accurate testing and awareness not only helps detect the risk of lung cancer early but also plays a crucial role in saving lives in many cases.