After decades of qualms about lung cancer screening, the American Cancer Society says there now is enough evidence to recommend it, but only for current and former heavy smokers ages 55 to 74 and after a frank talk about risks and benefits with your physician. The new guidelines are a cautious but exciting step against the world's most deadly cancer. The study only included older people who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or the equivalent, such as two packs a day for 15 years. Whether screening would help others isn't known, so scans were not advised for them.
Lung cancer is fairly rare before age 55, so the benefits of screening are going to be less if you start at a younger age. Cancer screening has provoked great argument in recent years; especially over when and how often women should get mammograms and whether men should have PSA blood tests to look for prostate cancer. Some of the most influential guidelines come from a government-appointed panel— the U.S. Preventive Services — but it hasn't considered lung cancer screening since 2004, when it said there wasn't enough evidence to recommend for or against it. An update is in the works now. The Cancer Society used to recommend screening with chest X-rays but withdrew that advice in 1980 after studies showed they weren't saving lives Since then, the CT scans have come into wider use, and several medical groups have backed screening with them.
Hi Robert, very interesting article. Yes my cancer was found accidently through a chest x ray then the ct scan . I fit into that catergory. I believe the cancer was found just in time, a month later and I dont think I would be here now. I am all for any help to fight this awful disease.
Hi again Jilly, hope your star is still shining brightly and you are still doing well.
My first diagnosis just creeps into the rare category as I was 53 when first diagnosed. I have now been diagnosed with small then non small and now undergoing treatment for oesopheagal and on each occasion it has taken exactly 3 months from my first symptom to confirmation. Far, far too long in my view.
Robert your an amazing man. Good luck with the treatment. I agree time doesnt seem much to those that havent got the cancer. I was told mine wouldnt grow much in a month had surgery on 26th day, Surgeon said it was only a matter of days and they wouldnt have been able to operate. However we are in their hands. Its just the system I suppose.
take care. xxxxx