How Accurate Is a CT Scan for Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, there will be 238,340 new cases of lung cancer and 127,070 deaths caused by lung cancer in the U.S.

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A lung cancer CT scan is very accurate for finding cancerous growths. However, CT scans are so detailed that there is a small risk of getting a false positive. Similar to mammograms, false positives occur in between 12-14% of initial lung cancer CT scans. The false positive rate drops to 6% for CT scans following the initial scan. A CT scan for lung cancer remains the best way to prevent dying from lung cancer.

What Is A False Positive?

Because CT scans give such a comprehensive look at the inside of the body, they will pick up abnormalities that may not be cancer. For example, it isn’t uncommon to find nodules on the lungs that aren’t cancerous. The majority of lung nodules found during a CT scan are not cancer, but rather scar tissue, damage from old infections, or other benign causes. However, further testing is needed to be sure nodules aren’t cancerous.

I Have No Symptoms; Should I Still Get A Scan?

Yes. Especially if you’re high-risk. Lung cancer often doesn’t display symptoms until it’s in its advanced stages, and even then, the symptoms might be dismissed as a mere respiratory infection. When cancer is found early with a CT scan for lung cancer, it is more likely it will be smaller, not have spread to other parts of the body, and more likely to be treatable.

Who Is At A Higher Risk Of Lung Cancer?

The following groups are at a much higher risk for developing lung cancer:

Smokers: Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, linked to 80-90% of lung cancer deaths. While having a history of smoking still increases your risk, quitting smoking at any age reduces your risk of all cancers and of dying from lung cancer. If you have ever been a smoker or currently smoke, talk to your doctor about a lung cancer CT scan.

Those who have been exposed to radon: The second leading risk factor of lung cancer is having been exposed to radon gas for an extended time. The only way to prevent this and/or to know if you have been exposed is to test your home.

Exposure to other toxic elements: The CDC also advises against work-related poisons that can cause lung cancer such as:

Asbestos
Arsenic
Diesel exhaust
Some forms of silica
Some forms of chromium
Living or working in areas with high pollution

Those with a personal or family history of lung cancer: Your chances of getting lung cancer may be higher if you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who had lung cancer. Also, if you have had lung cancer in the past, you’re more likely to get it again.

Will A Heart Ct Scan Show Lung Cancer?

Because both are scans of the chest, this is a possibility. However, your doctor must know what organ(s) are specifically being checked. If your doctor thought they were checking the arteries in your heart, they may not even think to look for warning signs of lung cancer and may not order as extensive a scan.

If you want your heart and lungs scanned at the same time, be sure to ask the staff at Preventative Diagnostic Center about this. Adding a heart CT scan to a lung CT scan may reduce costs and radiation exposure. This is particularly beneficial for people with COPD who are at a higher risk for heart issues, but the logic stands for anyone concerned about their lungs and heart.

A low-dose CT scan for lung cancer is an easy and non-invasive way to give yourself peace of mind. In the case they do find something, it may be the test that ends up saving your life.