04-13-2023 Howard Magazine - Flipbook - Page 25
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Ask your
Ascension
SaintAgnes
doctor:
LUNG
SCREENING
Kala Davis-McDonald MD,
Director of Pulmonary Medicine
Gavin Henry MD,
Director of Thoracic Surgery
Caring
Connected
Convenient
Q:What are the
requirements for a
lung screening?
A:A lung cancer screening
is recommended for adults
ages 50 to 80 years who have
a history of smoking two
packs a day for 10 years and
currently smoke or have quit
within the past 15 years.
Q: Lung screenings
aren’t discussed like
colorectal screenings or
mammograms.Why are
they important?
A: Lung cancer is
asymptomatic in its early
stages. By the time you have
symptoms such as cough,
chest pain, shortness of breath
or weight loss it is already at
an advanced stage.With lung
cancer, an early diagnosis can
make all the difference.When
lung cancer is detected early
at Stage 1, the chance for
survival after five years is 92%.
If it is diagnosed later as Stage
4 lung cancer, the survival
rate dips to 5%. Lung cancer
screening allows us to identify
lung cancer at an early stage
when cure is possible.
Q:What does a lung
screening entail?
A:A lung screening utilizes
a low-dose computed
tomography (CT) scan.A CT
scan is a noninvasive imaging
test that can quickly generate
exquisitely detailed images
throughout the body using
rotating x-rays.The purpose
of using a low-dose CT scan
is to detect the presence
of lung nodules or other
abnormalities.While some
lung nodules may be benign,
they can be indicators of
lung disease or in some cases
cancer.
The entire process from
check-in to completion should
last about half an hour.
Q:What are the next
steps if a CT scan is
abnormal?
A: If a lung nodule is found,
depending on the size and
location, a decision may be
made to proceed with biopsy.
A biopsy will determine
whether the nodule is due
to cancer or another cause.
Additional testing may also
be ordered as a next step
to better characterize the
nodule and determine if it
has a high likelihood of being a
cancer. In situations when the
nodule may be too small or in
a difficult location to biopsy,
repeat imaging is usually
performed to monitor the
nodule and establish stability.
Imaging may be repeated in
3months, 6 months or even
1year intervals to monitor
the nodule.
Q:What are the
treatment options for
Lung Cancer?
A:The physicians at the
Ascension Saint Agnes
Lung Center take a
multidisciplinary approach
to treating lung cancer. Our
team of pulmonologists, nurse
practitioners, radiologists,
oncologists, and thoracic
surgeons create individual
plans to provide the best
care for each patient. Lung
cancer is often treated with
surgery and/or chemotherapy,
immunotherapy or radiation
therapy depending on its
stage.The thoracic surgeons
at Ascension Saint Agnes
are highly experienced and
committed to providing
cutting-edge technologies
with options for roboticassisted and minimally invasive
surgery for treatment of lung
cancer which can allow for
faster recovery from surgery,
less pain and complications.
To schedule a
lung screening call
1-888-410-LUNG.
howardmagazine.com | Spring 2023 |
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