♦ Lung Cancer Screening with Low-Dose CT Chest Scan

(Low-Dose CT Chest Screening)

Lung cancer often develops without noticeable warning signs. In many cases, it is diagnosed only after the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, resulting in a high mortality rate.

However, lung cancer can have up to a 90% cure rate when detected at an early stage. Low-Dose CT Chest Screening has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by approximately 20%.

♦ What is Low-Dose CT Chest Screening?

Low-Dose CT Chest Screening is a low-radiation computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and lungs. Compared to a standard chest X-ray, Low-Dose CT provides much higher sensitivity and can detect very small lung nodules or tumors, even when they are hidden behind other organs.

This allows physicians to identify lung cancer at an earlier stage, enabling timely treatment and significantly improving the chances of recovery while reducing the risk of death.

♦ Who Should Consider Lung Cancer Screening?

• Individuals with an unexplained cough lasting longer than 1 month
• Individuals concerned about their risk of lung cancer
• Smokers or former smokers aged 40 years and older
• Individuals exposed to secondhand smoke from family members or close contacts
• Individuals working or living in environments exposed to asbestos, radioactive substances, industrial pollution, or vehicle exhaust fumes
• Individuals with a family history of lung cancer or other cancers

♦ Advantages of Low-Dose CT Chest Screening

✅ Uses a lower radiation dose compared to conventional CT scans
✅ Provides highly detailed 3D images of the lungs, superior to standard 2D chest X-rays
✅ Can detect tiny nodules or abnormalities without the need for contrast injection
✅ More effective in identifying early-stage lung cancer than standard chest X-rays
✅ Fast, simple, and minimally invasive procedure
✅ No fasting, blood tests, or special preparation required
✅ Total scan time is approximately 5–10 minutes using a CT Scanner

♦  Preparation and Procedure for Low-Dose CT Chest Screening

• No fasting required
• No special preparation or blood tests needed
• Patients will change into a hospital gown and lie on the CT scanning table
• Breath-holding for approximately 15–20 seconds may be required during the scan
• The entire examination takes approximately 5–10 minutes

Early detection saves lives.
Regular screening can help identify lung cancer before symptoms appear and improve treatment outcomes.