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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can develop when the cells of the lung start reproducing uncontrollably,
bunching together to form a tumour. The symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent
cough, blood-streaked mucous, lung pain, and recurring pneumonia or bronchitis.
Risk factors for developing lung cancer include cigarette smoking, exposure
to industrial chemicals, radiation exposure, secondhand smoke exposure, and
the spread of cancer from other parts of the body.
A CT lung scan can help doctors identify lung cancer. If discovered early enough,
surgery is the preferred form of treatment for lung cancer. If discovered in
the later stages, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the preferred choices
of treatment for lung cancer patients.
Some patients choose to undergo a lung CT scan to screen for lung cancer regardless
of whether or not they are exhibiting any symptoms. This scan may be beneficial
for current or former heavy cigarette smokers, as smoking increases the risk
of lung cancer. Lung cancer is extremely difficult to treat once it has progressed,
and is often fatal. However, lung cancer is treatable in the early stages. CT
lung scans are capable of identifying even very small abnormalities that may
indicate the earliest stages of lung cancer. These small abnormalities are not
visible on conventional x-rays.
Many facilities use special low-dose CT techniques to screen for lung cancer
screening. Note, though, that CT lung scans cannot detect every type of lung
cancer. As well, note that the United States Food and Drug Administration cautions
against the reliance on CT scans as a screening tool. Though the amount of radiation
patients are exposed to during CT scans is small, repeated radiation exposure
can actually increase one’s chances of getting cancer.
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