Lung cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. The most important intervention is to avoid smoking, which will not only lower the risk for developing lung cancer but also allows for any cancer directed treatments to be more effective and improves the overall chance for long-term survival and cure.
Smoking Cessation Resources:
- MyMichigan Health offers ongoing smoking cessation programs virtually or in person, please check our class schedule for the most recent classes.
- Michigan Tobacco Quitlink - Offers free information, tobacco treatment referral, online program, and text-messaging 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) in English or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) in Spanish.
- NoTobacco.org - This site is intended for teens.
- SmokeFree.gov - Many tools for quitting and staying quit.
- BecomeAnEx.org - A free quit smoking plan developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic.
- QuitNow.net - Quit for Life program from the American Cancer Society.
- Quitnet.com - Popular quit smoking program with a free iOS app.
- MyTimeToQuit.com - A pharmaceutical-sponsored online resource.
In addition to quitting smoking, you can also decrease your risk of developing lung cancer by exercising for at least 30 minutes three or four days a week, and eating a well-balanced, low-fat diet each day, with five or more servings of fruits and vegetables and 25 to 30 grams of fiber.
Early detection of lung cancer is key to significantly decreasing deaths from this disease. If detected at an early stage, many patients can be treated and cured.
To save lives a lung cancer screening for those at high risk should be considered.
MyMichigan offers Lung Cancer Screening Clinics in Alpena, Midland and Mt. Pleasant for those who meet the criteria of being at high risk for the disease. This ensures that persons with a positive finding will receive further diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.
- Age 50 to 80 AND
- Smoked 15 cigarettes or more each day AND
- Smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years
The most recent results from the National Lung Screening Trial show that low-dose CT lung screening significantly reduces death from lung cancer in people over the age of 50 with higher risk, the most important factor being a history of smoking exposure. Detecting cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable improves the odds for positive outcomes and long-term cure. Simply put, screening saves lives.
Insurance provides this testing as a covered benefit if you meet certain criteria. If you are interested in learning if you are a candidate, please contact our Lung Health Navigator by phone at (989) 839-1835 or by emailing lung.health@mymichigan.org.
At a patient’s initial visit to the clinic, there will be a clinical assessment, review of tobacco history, commitment to quit tobacco and referral to a tobacco cessation facilitator, order for low-dose CT lung cancer screening and an order for any aids to assist with tobacco cessation.
Patients will then have the low-dose CT (LDCT) scan. At a follow-up visit, results will be reviewed, and further screenings ordered based on the test findings.
What is a lung nodule?
A small area of lung tissue that is denser than the surrounding lung. Seen as a “spot” or “shadow” on a CT scan.
What can cause a lung nodule?
Nodules can be caused by anything that might have irritated your lung and made a scar including previous infections.
Sometimes a nodule can be an early lung cancer.
How big is a lung nodule?
Most lung nodules are less than 10 millimeters (about ½ inch).
The report from your CT scan will have an exact size measured.
Should I worry if I have a lung nodule?
Most lung nodules are not cancer and do not cause problems.
Less than five percent (1 in 20) who have lung nodules may have lung cancer.
Will my lung cancer screening CT show if I have lung cancer?
The CT is not a perfect test and cannot diagnose lung cancer without other tests.
Only 10 percent of CT scans will show a nodule that needs further workup.
How will I know if I have lung cancer?
If you have a nodule, your healthcare provider will discuss the next steps that will be best for you. Often, these might include:
Evaluation with a healthcare provider to determine the Lung-RADS score (see additional information below).
Monitoring the nodule closely for change with additional CT scans.
Sometimes a biopsy is needed. This is where a sample of the nodule is taken either by a needle or surgery. Most people will not need a biopsy.
What is a Lung-RADS score?
Lung-RADS stands for Lung CT Reporting And Data System. Using features seen on a chest CT for lung cancer screening, radiologists assign a score from one to four. This score allows for consistent communication between other members of your healthcare team and helps guide the next steps needed for ongoing evaluation or further testing.
If a repeat CT scan is scheduled for some time later, is it safe to wait?
Yes, it is safe to wait for the next scan.
Additional CT scans are often ordered at time intervals ranging from three to 12 months. Additional scans can show if a small nodule is changing or growing or, in some cases, goes away completely.
Change in a nodule over a short time gives your healthcare team an incredible amount of information.
Nodules usually grow very slowly so even if they enlarge, they will still be small in a few months.
Additional CT scans can help determine if further testing is needed
What if the chest CT for lung cancer screening shows something else?
There are many structures in the chest, and these are all imaged during a screening chest CT.
Lung-RADS will characterize these findings as “S”.
Other problems are often encountered or seen on a chest CT such as lung changes like emphysema (usually the result of smoking), heart disease, or vascular (blood vessels) problems.
These may be problems you are already aware of or new problems.
If your lung cancer screening CT has a Lung-RADS score that includes “S” or other findings are noted, your healthcare provider will be able to recommend the best appropriate testing that might be necessary to evaluate these additional findings.
Generally, lung cancer has no symptoms in its earliest stages. Although coughing is the most common symptom as this disease progresses, there are several additional indicators. Talk to your doctor if you have one or more of these symptoms:
- Coughing that persists and worsens over time
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis
- Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
- Fatigue
- Unexplained loss of appetite or weight
Researchers have identified several factors that may put you at risk for lung cancer. You have the power to prevent lung cancer before it strikes you by avoiding these hazards:
- Smoking - Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of different chemicals, many of which are proven cancer-causing agents. If you smoke, find out how you can quit today.
- Secondhand smoke - Exposure to secondhand smoke also elevates your risk. For example, nonsmoking spouses of smokers have a 30 percent greater risk of developing lung cancer than do nonsmoking spouses of nonsmokers.
- Radon - Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the soil. Radon may be present in some homes, so it's a good idea to test for radon before buying a house. Once radon is eradicated in a home, the hazard is gone.
- Asbestos - Asbestos is used in some industrial substances, such as insulation. The fibers from these products tend to break down, and when inhaled, they become stuck in the lungs - increasing your chance of developing cancer.
- Hazardous chemicals - Some work environments may expose employees to asbestos, radon, uranium, arsenic, coal products, gasoline, diesel exhaust and other chemicals that could lead to lung cancer. Avoid contact with these substances as much as possible and follow recommended guidelines for personal protection when working with them.
Diagnosing lung cancer may require taking a tissue sample (biopsy) based on the location of your tumor. Current biopsy methods include:
- Bronchoscopy - Using a flexible tube (fiber-optic bronchoscope) passed down your airway, your doctor can look inside your lungs and remove a tissue sample for examination in the lab.
- Mediastinoscopy - While you're under anesthesia, an instrument is passed through a small incision at the base of your neck, allowing doctors to take a biopsy of lymph nodes in your chest. This type of biopsy helps a surgeon define the extent of the tumor and determine whether to perform an operation.
- Thoracentesis - If fluid is present, your doctor can remove a sample by inserting a thick needle into your chest between the ribs. The sample is then tested in the lab for the presence of cancer cells. If you have a lot of fluid in your chest, the procedure can also relieve pressure and temporarily improve your breathing.
- CT-guided biopsy - A doctor or technician inserts a needle into your chest wall under the guidance of a computed tomography (CT) scanner.
Once diagnosis is complete, your treatment will be based on the stage of your cancer.
