Find Out if You Qualify for Lung Cancer Screening

In January of this year, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network changed its guidelines for lung cancer screening. Previously, high-risk individuals eligible for screening were classified as those 50 or older and a current or former smoker with a 20-pack-year smoking history.

Now, the recommendation has been extended to include those with a 20-year history of cigarette use. This means someone who has smoked a total of 20 years is considered high-risk, regardless of whether those years were consecutive and not considering the number of cigarettes smoked per day.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers. Exposure through smoking increases risk of getting lung cancer. Early screening for this disease increases your chance of a positive outcome. Discover answers to questions you may have about when you should make lung screening a priority.

To determine your level of risk and if you qualify for a lung cancer screening, please call today. You can also make an appointment with one of Moffitt’s pulmonologists for further evaluation and to weigh your options. Call 1-888-663-3488 or complete our new patient registration form.

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Dr. Tawee Tanvetyanon, a managing physician for lung cancer screening, says these lung screening guidelines are a plus for former smokers. "Many people do not remember exactly when they quit smoking. Although quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of lung cancer, lung cancer screening can add another layer of protection for those who already quit," he says. Read more