Faith Regional Health Services | living WELL | Fall 2018

FRHS.ORG 11 IF YOU’VE SMOKED for many years, you don’t need to be reminded of your high risk for lung cancer, a disease that until recently has been hard to detect in its early stages. But that is changing, thanks to low-dose com- puted tomography (CT) screening. A CT scanner uses x-rays to take detailed pictures of your lungs. The scan takes just a few minutes. Here’s why you might consider it: Typically, lung cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. That’s why it often has a poor prognosis. If lung cancer does develop, regular screening may help find it early—when treatment may be more effective. Screening guidelines The need for screening depends partly on your smoking history and age. Different groups have somewhat different guidelines. You will want to discuss with your doctor the potential downsides of being screened. These include the possibility of a false alarm (finding something that looks like cancer but turns out to be benign after an imaging test or a biopsy) and exposure to radiation. And if you still smoke? Lung cancer screening doesn’t replace the need for quitting. That’s still your best defense against the harmful effects of smoking. Additional source: American Cancer Society Should I be screened for lung cancer? Current smoker? Yes No Smoking cessation programs are the most effective strategy for quitting. Yes Did you smoke at least one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years? No No Yes Our smoking cessation program can help. Visit frhs.org to learn more or call 402-644-7347 . Yes Exposure to secondhand smoke? No Breathe easier Yes Former smoker? No Talk to your doctor about your potential risks for lung cancer. Is it right for you ? Set your stop-smoking goal Faith Regional offers Freedom from Smoking ® , a step-by-step program for quitting. Each session is designed to help smokers gain control over their behavior. Participants are encouraged to work on the process and problems of quitting, both individually and as part of a group. Call 402-644-7347 to register for the next session, beginning Jan. 7. LUNG CANCER SCREENING Talk to your doctor to find out if you should be screened for lung cancer. In the age range of 55 to 77? 55 +