Screening is a way of testing people for early signs of a disease before they have developed symptoms. For people who at high risk of developing lung cancer, lung health screening is an effective way of detecting the condition early on when treatment options are most effective and the chances of curing the disease are highest.
Who should have lung health screening?
The UK National Screening Committee recommends screening for people with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. This includes people aged from 55 to 74, both current and former smokers.
It is important to have a discussion with a healthcare professional, such as a respiratory consultant, before going ahead with screening.
They will talk to you about the purpose of screening and how it’s done. They will explain the potential benefits and drawbacks of lung health screening. For example, while screening can be an effective way of identifying lung cancer in the early stages when it is most treatable, not all lung cancers will be picked up by screening and not all cancers that are detected will be found at an early stage.
Before going ahead, it is important to have a complete understanding of what lung health screening is and the possible limitations, as well as discussing how you might feel if lung cancer is concerned.
You might want to consider lung health screening if you have any of the following symptoms:
- A new cough or a persistent cough that has gone on for more than three weeks
- Unexplained breathlessness doing simple everyday activities
- Coughing up blood
- Persistent fatigue
- Chest or shoulder pain
It’s important to bear in mind that having symptoms like these doesn’t automatically mean you have lung cancer. However, it is advisable to check them out with a healthcare professional.
What to expect during lung cancer screening
You will have a detailed assessment by a respiratory consultant who will ask you a range of questions that are designed to evaluate your risk of developing lung cancer. For example, they will ask about your history of smoking, any family history of cancer and whether you have been exposed to harmful substances in the workplace. They will also talk to you about any symptoms you are experiencing, including when they first began and how long you’ve had them.
This assessment will help the consultant to determine if it is advisable for you to undergo lung health screening. If this is recommended, you will be given a CT scan, which uses cross-sectional X-rays to create a highly-detailed 3D image of your lungs. This enables the consultant to visualise the lungs’ structures, airways and vessels so they can identify any abnormalities.
The scan itself is painless. You will lie on a bed that slides inside the CT scanner, which is a large donut-shaped machine. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds while the images are taken as this gives a clearer picture of the lungs. During the process, which only lasts a few minutes, you will be exposed to a low dose of radiation. Your consultant will discuss any risks – which are very small – during the assessment process.
What are the potential benefits of lung health screening?
The main benefit of lung health screening is that it may pick up lung cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable. By focusing on people at greatest risk of developing the condition, lung health screening can help to save lives.
Are there any risks?
The main risk of lung health screening is exposure to a small amount of radiation during the CT scan. The amount of exposure is minimal, however repeated exposure over time could potentially cause harm to the lungs. Sometimes lung health screening picks up something that might be cancer but that turns out to be benign. This can lead to unnecessary further tests and anxiety for the patient. We call this a ‘false positive’.
There is a small risk of ‘false negatives’, which means that lung health screening fails to pick up a lung cancer. This could have serious consequences. Sometimes, lung health screening detects lung cancers that would not have gone on to cause any problems during the patient’s lifetime and this may lead to unnecessary treatments, including surgery. We call this ‘overdiagnosis’
Seek support from a respiratory consultant
As you can see, lung health screening is a complex area that requires support from a qualified respiratory consultant to help you make an informed decision. It is an effective way of detecting lung cancer at an early stage, but the benefits should be weighed against the risks and you need to be well-informed about the possible limitations of this type of screening. For more information, or to book an assessment, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon will I get my results?
You should receive your results within a few days of your scan. The radiologist will carefully examine the images to assess for any signs of abnormalities within your lungs.
What happens if I have an abnormal result?
If any abnormalities are detected during the scan, you may need further investigations. This might entail having further, more detailed scans or a biopsy, which is a small sample of lung tissue taken under anaesthetic to determine if the abnormality is cancerous. Throughout, the respiratory team will be on hand to support you.