The American Cancer Society has published new guidelines that recommend doctors discuss lung cancer screening with people who meet certain criteria that put them at high risk for developing the disease. These high risk patients must be aged 55 to 74 years and in fairly good health, have a smoking history equivalent to a pack a day for 30 years, and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. If people decide to be screened, the recommendation specifies that testing should be done with a low dose computed tomography (CT) scan and take place at a facility with experience in lung cancer screening. And it emphasizes that screening is not a substitute for quitting smoking. The most effective way to lower lung cancer risk is to stay away from tobacco. The guidelines were published early online January 11, 2013 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Read more here.
Access the American Cancer Society's list of frequently asked questions here.
Read the related American Cancer Society's Expert Voices blog here.
Study mentioned: Wender R, et al. American Cancer Society Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines. Published early online January 11, 2013. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
No comments:
Post a Comment