15031 Lung Cancer Screening

Overview

Lung cancer screening is a test that looks for lung cancer in people who feel well and have no symptoms. It is not used to check everyone. It is offered to people who are at higher risk, usually because of their age and smoking history. The test itself is called a low-dose CT scan. A CT scan is a special kind of X-ray that takes detailed pictures of the inside of your lungs. 'Low-dose' means it uses less radiation than a standard CT scan. You lie on a table, the machine moves around you, and you may need to hold your breath for a few seconds. The scan does not hurt and usually takes only a few minutes. The aim is simple: to find lung cancer very early, when treatment has the best chance of working.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and a leading cause of cancer deaths. Because of this, screening programmes are being introduced or expanded in many countries. Where programmes run, thousands of people are invited for a lung health check each year. Most people who are scanned get good news: their scan is clear or shows something harmless.

Lung cancer screening is designed for adults at higher risk. In most programmes this means people roughly between the ages of 55 and 80 who have smoked for many years, or who quit within the last 15 years or so. The exact age range and rules vary between countries and regions, so check what applies where you live. People exposed to a lot of secondhand smoke, radon gas, or asbestos at work may also be at higher risk. Screening is not used in children or in people who have never smoked and have no other risk factors.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Early lung cancer usually causes no symptoms at all. That is exactly why screening exists.
• A cough that does not go away, or a cough that changes
• Coughing up blood, even a small amount or streaks in phlegm
• Shortness of breath with everyday activities
• Chest pain, especially when you breathe deeply or cough
• A hoarse voice or a change in your voice that lasts
• Chest infections that keep coming back
• Feeling very tired, or losing weight without trying
• Loss of appetite

Causes

Main causes

• Smoking tobacco is by far the biggest cause of lung cancer. The risk rises with the number of years you smoked and the amount you smoked.
• Breathing in other people's tobacco smoke over many years (secondhand smoke)
• Radon gas, a natural gas that can build up in some homes and workplaces
• Asbestos and other workplace chemicals, especially in older buildings or certain industries
• Air pollution, which raises risk slightly over a lifetime
• Previous lung diseases such as tuberculosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a long-term lung condition)
• A family history of lung cancer, or previous radiotherapy to the chest

Risk factors

• Being older, especially over 55
• A long smoking history, or having quit within the last 15 years
• Living or working with a smoker
• Working with asbestos, silica, diesel fumes, or other lung irritants without good protection
• Living in an area with high radon levels
• Ongoing lung conditions such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs)
• A close relative who had lung cancer

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You cough up blood, even a small amount
• A cough lasts more than three weeks or is getting worse
• You feel breathless doing things you used to manage easily
• You have chest pain that is new or getting worse
• You are losing weight without trying

Book a routine appointment if:

• You have been invited for a lung health check or screening scan and are not sure whether to go
• You want to talk about your smoking history and your lung cancer risk
• You would like help to stop smoking
• You have a lingering cough, mild breathlessness, or recurring chest infections
• You have a family history of lung cancer and want advice

Diagnosis

Screening is a step-by-step process rather than a single test. First, you may have a short conversation or questionnaire about your age, smoking history, and general health to work out your risk. If you are in the higher-risk group, you will be offered a low-dose CT scan of your chest. A specialist doctor called a radiologist looks at the pictures. If the scan is clear, you may be invited back in a year or so, depending on the programme. If something small is seen, you may be asked to have another scan after a few months to see whether it changes. If something looks suspicious, you will be referred to a lung specialist team for further tests.

Tests that may be done

• Risk questionnaire or lung health check appointment — questions about your age, smoking, and health
• Low-dose CT scan — detailed pictures of your lungs taken in a few minutes
• Repeat CT scan after a few months — to check whether a small shadow changes
• PET-CT scan — a scan that uses a small amount of a safe tracer to show how active cells are
• Biopsy — a small sample of tissue taken to look at under a microscope; this is the test that can confirm whether something is cancer
• Bronchoscopy — a thin flexible tube with a camera passed through the mouth or nose to look inside the airways
• Needle biopsy through the chest wall, guided by a scan
• Breathing tests (lung function tests) — to check how well your lungs work, often before treatment

What to expect at your appointment

A screening scan is quick and painless. You will usually be asked to remove metal items and wear a gown. You lie on a table, the table moves through a ring-shaped scanner, and you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. There are no needles and no dye for a low-dose CT. The whole appointment is often under half an hour. Results usually come back within a few weeks. Waiting can feel stressful — it can help to bring someone with you, write down questions beforehand, and ask when and how you will hear back.

Treatment

If screening finds something, it does not automatically mean you have cancer. Many findings are harmless, and some need only a follow-up scan. If lung cancer is found, treatment depends on the type of cancer, its size, whether it has spread, and your general health. Finding cancer early through screening means more treatment options are often available, including treatments that aim to cure. A team of specialists will discuss your case together and explain the choices to you in plain language.

Self-care at home

• If you smoke, getting support to stop is the single most helpful thing you can do — ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about local stop-smoking services
• Keep up with any follow-up scans you are offered, even if you feel well
• Write down your questions and bring someone with you to appointments if you can
• Stay as active as you comfortably can — short daily walks help your breathing and mood
• Eat regular, balanced meals and drink enough fluids
• Keep a note of any new symptoms so you can describe them clearly to your doctor
• Ask for written information about your results and next steps

Medical treatments

Treatment for lung cancer is planned by a specialist team and depends on the stage (how far the cancer has grown or spread) and the type of cancer. Options generally include surgery to remove the affected part of the lung; radiotherapy, which uses carefully targeted high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells; chemotherapy, which uses medicines that attack cancer cells throughout the body; targeted therapy, which uses medicines that focus on specific features of the cancer cells; and immunotherapy, which helps your own immune system recognise and fight the cancer. These treatments are often combined. For very early cancers, some centres offer treatment given through a thin tube into the lung. Your team will explain the benefits and side effects of each option and help you decide what fits your situation and your wishes.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is often the best option when lung cancer is found early and is contained in one part of the lung. The surgeon removes the part of the lung containing the cancer, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes (small glands that are part of the body's defence system) as well. Where possible, this is done with keyhole surgery, which uses small cuts and a camera, and usually means a faster recovery. Not everyone is able to have surgery — it depends on your fitness, your lung function, and where the cancer is. Your specialist team will explain whether surgery is an option for you and what recovery involves.

Living with this condition

Most people who go for screening continue life as normal afterwards. If you are found to have a small shadow that needs watching, you may have a few months of follow-up scans, which can feel unsettling but is a careful, cautious approach. If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, you will have a named team looking after you. Life may involve appointments, tests, and treatment, but many people keep working, seeing family, and doing the things they enjoy, sometimes with adjustments. Ask for help early with practical things like travel to appointments, and let people close to you know how they can support you.

Lifestyle tips

• Stop smoking if you smoke — support is available and it is never too late to benefit
• Avoid other people's smoke and keep your home smoke-free
• Stay active within what feels comfortable; walking and light exercise help your lungs and mood
• Protect your lungs at work by using the safety equipment provided
• Check whether your home is in a high-radon area and test if advised locally
• Get enough sleep and rest when your body needs it
• Keep up with routine vaccinations your doctor recommends

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that treats or prevents lung cancer, but eating well helps you cope with tests and treatment. Aim for regular meals with plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and protein such as beans, eggs, fish, or lean meat. If your appetite is poor, small snacks through the day can be easier than large meals, and a dietitian can give practical advice. Gentle exercise — short walks, stretching, or light housework — helps keep your lungs working well and lifts your mood. Build up slowly and rest when you need to. If you become breathless, stop and let it settle, and mention it to your doctor or physiotherapist.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Being invited for screening, waiting for results, or being diagnosed with lung cancer can bring a mix of feelings: worry, relief, sadness, anger, or feeling numb. All of these are normal. It can help to talk to someone you trust, write down your worries before appointments, and ask questions until things feel clearer. If low mood, anxiety, or sleep problems are lasting more than a couple of weeks or are affecting your daily life, please speak to your doctor — effective support is available. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line in your country straight away, or go to the nearest emergency department. You do not have to cope alone.

Prevention

Not all lung cancers can be prevented, but you can lower your risk. The biggest step is not smoking, or stopping if you do — your risk starts to fall from the day you quit, and it is never too late to benefit. Avoid breathing in other people's smoke, test your home for radon if you live in an affected area, and follow safety advice at work if you are exposed to dust, fumes, or asbestos. Living in areas with cleaner air and keeping generally healthy also support lung health. You cannot undo past smoking, which is why screening exists for people who already have a higher risk.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine against lung cancer. However, your doctor may recommend routine vaccinations such as flu and pneumonia vaccines, which help protect your lungs from infections. These are especially important if you have a long-term lung condition or are having cancer treatment. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which vaccinations are right for you.

Screening programmes

Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan to look for cancer before symptoms appear. It is offered to people at higher risk, usually based on age and smoking history — for example, some national programmes invite people aged around 55 to 74 who have smoked. Rules vary by country and region, so ask your doctor whether you are eligible or whether a local programme exists. Screening has benefits and downsides: it can find cancer early when treatment works best, but it can also pick up things that would never have caused harm, leading to extra tests and worry. Your healthcare team can talk this through with you so you can decide what is right for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• Lung cancer can grow and spread to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes, bones, liver, or brain
• Breathlessness and coughing usually get worse over time
• The cancer can press on airways or blood vessels, causing coughing up blood or chest pain
• Fluid can build up around the lung, making breathing harder
• Treatment options become more limited once cancer has spread
• Everyday activities, work, and sleep can become harder

Long-term outlook

The outlook for lung cancer is much better when it is found early. That is the whole purpose of screening: to catch cancer at a stage when treatment can aim to cure. Many people diagnosed at an early stage live for many years and some are cured. Treatment is also improving steadily, with newer approaches helping people even at later stages. If you are invited for screening, going for the scan gives you the best chance of early detection. Whatever your situation, your healthcare team will be honest with you and will support you at every step.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.