Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and is the #1 cause of cancer deaths. The best way to treat it is to catch it in an early and treatable stage. Lung cancer screening involves an annual low dose cat-scan of your chest. This is a very low dose of radiation – no more than a transcontinental plane flight. Most people screened will never have an abnormality. But for those who do, Logan Health offers some of the most advanced diagnostic capabilities for lung cancer in the region.
Screening Recommendations:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening with low dose CT scan for those who meet all of the following criteria:
- Age 50-80
- Have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history
- Smoke now or have quit within the last 15 years
A pack year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
Risk Factors:
Smoking causes nearly 90% of lung cancer cases in the United States. Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that are known to cause lung cancer. Breathing in secondhand smoke also puts you at risk for lung cancer.
Other risk factors include:
- secondhand smoke
- radon exposure
- exposure to other harmful substances, such as asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, and some forms of silica and chromium
- a personal or family history of lung cancer
- radiation therapy to the chest
- diet
Treatment:
Ion: Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy
Logan Health uses Intuitive’s robotic-assisted minimally invasive biopsy platform called Ion. Ion helps detect lung cancer earlier, ultimately bettering survivability rates.
Designated Lung Nodule Clinic
In July 2023, Logan Health opened a high-risk lung nodule clinic dedicated to fast-tracking severe lung cancer cases and helping patients get treatment faster, bettering their chances at beating it.
Ask your health care provider to refer you, or call Logan health Lung Cancer Nodule Clinic at (406) 751-5392