Lung cancer can grow silently for years, here’s who qualifies for screening

Early Lung‑Cancer Screening Saves Lives – but Many Eligible Patients Still Miss Out

By Maine News Now

In a recent conversation with Fox News Digital, Dr. Daniel J. Boffa, a Yale thoracic surgeon and the American College of Surgeons’ Chair of the Commission on Cancer, underscored how routine lung‑cancer screening can cut death rates by about one‑fifth. “It’s one of the most powerful ways to boost survival,” he said, adding that the gap between those who qualify and those who actually get screened translates into “tens of thousands of preventable deaths every year.”

Boffa explained that the current American Cancer Society (ACS) recommendation is an annual low‑dose computed‑tomography (CT) scan for adults between 50 and 80 who either smoke or have a history of smoking equal to at least 20 pack‑years. The scan is quick, typically taking only a few minutes, and most people do not find it claustrophobic. Results are usually delivered within days.

Why screening matters

The surgeon noted that the majority of early‑stage lung cancers do not produce symptoms. “Most patients with early‑stage disease will not have any symptoms at all,” Lary Robinson, an oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, told Fox News. When symptoms do appear, they are usually related to the lungs, such as a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood. Weight loss and persistent headaches can also signal a problem, though they are not specific to lung cancer.

Because early detection is the key to better outcomes, the ACS advises that people who still smoke receive counseling to quit and that those with serious illnesses likely to limit life expectancy or who would not be able to receive treatment if cancer is found should not be screened.

What about people who never smoked?

While one in seven lung cancers occurs in never‑smokers, there are currently no formal screening guidelines for that group. Dr. Boffa said that researchers are actively working on ways to identify individuals who might benefit. “I expect that within the next year or two we’ll have better guidance for those at risk who have never smoked,” he said. For now, the surgeon recommends that individuals with a close family history of lung cancer, even if they have never smoked, consider annual screening. Certain higher‑risk populations—such as Asian women—might also qualify for screening.

The reality of scan findings

In about one‑third of patients, CT scans reveal something other than lung cancer. Often, these are benign nodules, scars, infections, or signs of hardening arteries. “More than 99% of nodules turn out to be benign,” Boffa noted. That reality can make the test more reassuring than frightening, but he cautioned that patients should have a conversation with their doctor about how to interpret and act on the findings beforehand.

A hopeful outlook

Advances in treatment have dramatically improved survival even for advanced lung cancer. Dr. Boffa emphasized that screening should not be seen as a path to a terminal diagnosis but rather a tool that can uncover disease early enough for curative or life‑prolonging interventions. “People are really reluctant to be diagnosed with lung cancer because it does carry a stigma,” he said. “For years, there was a reputation that it was a terminal diagnosis. It’s just been amazing what research has done for lung cancer.”

The medical community continues to refine screening protocols. Dr. Boffa suggested that future strategies might involve a confirmatory blood test before a CT scan, potentially making the process more streamlined and reducing unnecessary scans. Until then, the best protection remains: regular low‑dose CT scans for those who meet the established criteria, coupled with open communication with healthcare providers about risks, benefits, and next steps.

Takeaway

• Lung‑cancer screening with low‑dose CT is recommended annually for adults 50‑80 with a significant smoking history.
• Early‑stage lung cancer typically shows no symptoms; when symptoms do appear, they involve cough, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• One‑seventh of lung cancers occur in never‑smokers, but no formal screening guidelines exist for that group yet.
• The vast majority of nodules found on CT scans are benign, but follow‑up conversations with doctors are essential.
• Screening can reduce lung‑cancer deaths by about 20%; many eligible patients still forgo the test, resulting in preventable deaths each year.

Maine residents who fall into the eligible age and smoking‑history bracket should schedule a low‑dose CT scan and discuss any concerns with their primary care provider or a specialist.