The American Cancer Society Has Announced; The Age of Screening For Lung Cancer Has Decreased

Stating that the lung cancer early screening age has been updated by the American Cancer Society, Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Seha Akduman: “The recommended age for tomography for patients who have smoked for 30 years and over 55 years has decreased to 50.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akduman suggested that people over the age of 50 who smoke an average of 1 pack a day for 20 years should have low-dose lung tomography.

Stating that the most effective early diagnosis method of lung cancer is Computed Tomography (CT), Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Seha Akduman, made important warnings about the age of screening in cancer, which was updated by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Explaining that a lesion must rise above an average centimeter to be visible on chest radiography, Asst. Prof. Dr. Seha Akduman said, “Chest X-ray is one of the screening methods. However, since the history of cancer in a lung lesion that has exceeded 1 centimeter will have advanced, the only technique we can catch in the early stages is tomography. 30% of cancer is caused by the trachea. Therefore, bronchoscopy may be considered for screening."

Tomography Age Decreased from 55 to 50

Describing that lung cancer is the most common type of cancer that causes loss of life in both sexes all over the world, Asst. Prof. Dr. Seha Akduman: “Turkey ranks 10th in the incidence of lung cancer. Currently, 1 in 10 smokers is in treatment for lung cancer. When you think about smoking rates, this number is unimaginably high. Therefore, it is vital to catch the disease at an early stage, which can be fully cured with early diagnosis and surgery. Considering the low radiation dose at this point, when we put the risks in front of us, it will be the most appropriate method to screen the risky patient groups with tomography, even if it is a low dose. Accordingly, the American Cancer Society has updated the age of early screening for lung cancer. According to new information, the recommended age of tomography for patients who smoke for 30 years at age 55 and older has dropped to 50. People over the age of 50 who smoke an average of one pack a day for 20 years should have low-dose lung tomography.”

Reminding that surgery is the most effective treatment method for lung cancer, Asst. Prof. Dr. Akduman said, "If there is no splash in the distant lymph nodes if the brain has not splashed on distant organs such as bones, and if it is not seen on the chest wall, we consider surgery as the first option in these patients. Considering the current drugs and stages, the group with the longest survival time was the one who underwent surgery.”

“After 10 Years, The Risk Reduces Significantly”

Stating that the body started to recover within hours and minutes from the moment of smoking cessation, Yeditepe University Hospitals Chest Diseases Specialist Asst. Prof. Dr. Akduman said:

“When a woman of reproductive age stops smoking, her chances of recovery are much better than an older man with advanced cancer. As we age, the risk of recovery decreases. The sooner you quit smoking, the sooner you can start to recover within hours and minutes. After 10 years, there has been a dramatic decline. After 20 years, these declines are becoming noticeable. There is a risk of radiation in tomography, but when we compare the risk of cancer with radiation, if there is a patient with a predominant cancer risk, radiation should be ignored. Because the patient who is diagnosed early has a chance to be completely cured, and if the patient is cured, he will be able to survive without a tumor.”