Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both South Carolina and in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.
Prisma Health reminds those that are at an increased risk to schedule an annual screening to help detect signs of the disease early. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states that approximately 85% of lung cancer occurs in current or former tobacco smokers. While smoking tobacco is the biggest factor in one’s chances of developing the disease, other risks include:
- Secondhand smoke.
- Exposure to radon.
- Exposure to asbestos or other cancer-causing agents.
- Family history of lung cancer.
- Personal history of a smoking related cancer.
- Certain chronic lung diseases.
“An annual screening for those that are higher risk is the best preventative measure to find the cancer early and increase your chances of survival. Without a screening, lung cancer is not usually found until a person develops symptoms, at which time the cancer is much harder to treat,” said Michael Haughton, MD, oncologist at Prisma Health Cancer Institute in Columbia. “If you are at least 55 years old and a smoker or quit smoking within the past 15 years, you should talk to your physician about enrolling in an annual lung cancer screening.”
Prisma Health also offers tobacco education and lung cancer prevention programs, as well as smoking cessation classes for those who want to quit. The programs are designed to teach smokers about the health effects of tobacco use and the risk associated with using tobacco products. According to the CDC, quitting smoking can add as much as 10 years to life expectancy.
“Smoking tobacco increases your risk of premature death before you’re even diagnosed with cancer or other pulmonary diseases,” said Luke Spangler, MD, family medicine at Prisma Health. “Quitting is the number one measure to improve your health and enhance your quality of life.”
To learn more about Prisma Health’s lung cancer screenings or smoking cessation programs, visit PrismaHealth.org/LungScreenings.