Aspirus Health is encouraging individuals who have a history of heavy smoking to consider scheduling a low dose CT scan for lung cancer screening, aligning with World Lung Cancer Day on August 1. The organization emphasizes that early detection through this method can significantly improve the chances of curing lung cancer.
“A low dose CT scan is quick, painless, and powerful,” said Christopher Peterson, MD, board-certified oncologist at Aspirus Cancer Care. “It can find very small cancers on the lungs that otherwise wouldn’t have been detectable,” Peterson explained. “When we’re able to identify cancers earlier, we’re more often able to cure those cancers.”
Screening is recommended for people who meet certain criteria: current smokers or those who quit within the last 15 years; individuals aged 50–77 (or up to 80 with private insurance); those with a history of at least 20 pack-years (such as smoking one pack per day for 20 years); and those without symptoms like coughing blood or unexplained weight loss.
Lung cancer remains the top cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Despite this, only about ten percent of eligible individuals undergo screening.
Those interested in learning more or determining their eligibility are encouraged to contact an Aspirus Nurse Navigator at 715.847.2284 or consult their primary care provider.
