Help Us Spread the Word about Lung Cancer Screening

Many women don’t think twice about scheduling their routine mammogram. Getting a colonoscopy is almost like a rite of passage for people once they turn 50. Now The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE and the Ad Council are aiming to make low-dose CT a household name.

Lung Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Low-dose CT scans are used to screen for lung cancer. They can detect lung cancer in its early stages when it is easier to treat. Right now, lung cancer screening is underutilized. This simple test could save lives, making raising awareness about the availability of lung cancer screening an urgent issue. An estimated 9 million Americans qualify as high risk for lung cancer. If only half of them were screened, about 15,000 lives would be saved.

Lung cancer screening isn’t right for everyone, but for those at high risk, it can be a game changer. A person is considered high risk for lung cancer if they:

• Are between 55–80 years old; (or between 55–77 years old and on Medicare),
• Have a 30 pack year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 30 years, 2 packs a day for 15 years, etc., and
• Are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years.

Raising Awareness

To raise awareness among the high-risk population about this potentially lifesaving scan, the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE and the Ad Council have launched a new campaign called “Saved By The Scan.” The campaign focuses on former smokers who often don’t receive counseling about lung cancer screening from their physicians. Everyone who is over 55 and has a smoking history is encouraged to visit SavedBytheScan.org and take the quiz to see if they are eligible for low-dose CT screening.

Help Spread the Word

A low-dose CT scan may sound complicated but the procedure is quite simple. The scan itself is painless and takes less than a minute.  For someone who is at high risk for lung cancer, this minute could save their lives. If you know someone who might be at high risk, talk to them about lung cancer screening. This can be a sensitive topic to discuss so follow for talking to your loved one about screening.

The more we spread the word about the availability of this screening, the more lives will be saved. If you have had a low-dose CT to screen for lung cancer, help others by sharing your story. Help make regular lung cancer screening a reality for the millions of Americans at high risk. Greater awareness of early detection is one large step forward in removing lung cancer from its rank as the number one cancer killer of both men and women. Visit SavedBytheScan.org to see how you can get involved.