Lung Cancer - Tests and Diagnosis

Screening

Doctors aren't sure whether you should undergo screening for ,lung cancer. Even if you have an increased risk of lung cancer — for instance, if you're a smoker — it isn't clear that a chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan can be beneficial. Some studies show that these tests can find cancer earlier, when it may be treated more successfully. But other studies find that these tests often reveal more benign conditions that require invasive testing and expose people to unnecessary risks.

Screening for lung cancer is controversial among doctors. Studies are ongoing to determine what types of tests may be helpful and who would benefit from lung cancer screening.If you're worried about your risk of lung cancer in the meantime, speak with your doctor. Together, you may decide if screening tests are suitable for you and measures to lower your risk.

Diagnosis

In the event that there is reason to suspect you may have lung cancer, your doctor may perform a number of tests to look for malignant cells and rule out other illnesses, your doctor may recommend:

• Imaging tests: An abnormal lump or nodule in your lungs may be seen on an X-ray imaging. Small lesions in your lungs may be discovered with a CT scan.
• Sputum cytology: If you cough and produce sputum, examining the sputum under a microscope may occasionally show that you have lung disease. You could be requested to inhale a somewhat upsetting spray prior to the test to encourage the production of more sputum.
• Biopsy: To identify lung cancer, a sample of aberrant cells may be taken via a technique known as a biopsy. Your doctor can perform a biopsy in a number of ways, including bronchoscopy, in which your doctor examines abnormal areas of your lungs using a lighted tube that is mediastinoscopy, in which a cut is made at the base of your neck and medical instruments are placed behind your breastbone to examine your lungs and throat; to take tissue samples; and needle biopsy, in which your doctor uses X-ray or CT images to guide a needle through your chest and into a suspicious lump or nodule to collect cells. a biopsy sample may be collected from your liver, lymph nodes , or other sites where cancer has metastasized.
• Staging : Once your lung cancer After a lung cancer diagnosis, your doctor will attempt to ascertain the extent, or stage, of the disease.. Your cancer's tage helps your doctor decide what treatment is most appropriate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission testing (PET), and bone scans are a few examples of imaging techniques that may be used as part of staging tests to help your doctor check for indications that the cancer has progressed outside of your lungs. You should discuss which tests are right for you with your doctor because not everyone needs the same tests.

How can I prevent lung cancer?

• Don't' smoke. If you smoke, quit: Choosing not to smoke is the very best way to prevent lung cancer. If you do smoke, quit. If you've tried to quit and it didn't work, try again. As soon as you quit smoking, your risk or lung cancer goes down. The sooner you quit, the lower your risk. It's never too late; learn how to quit smoking now.
• Avoid second-hand smoke: Make sure you're not breathing in other people's smoke, either at home or at work. Learn more about how to help someone you love quit smoking.
• Avoid radon, an invisible, odourless gas that can cause lung cancer Avoid asbestos, a flame-resistant mineral used in insulation, brake linings, and other products. Asbestos can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung's lining.