By Audrey Frone, TCC Nurse Practitioner in the Lung Cancer Screening Program
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and is very common in Alaska Native and American Indian populations.
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) offers lung cancer screenings through Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center (CAIHC). It is not recommended for all people, but depending on your age and smoking history, you may be a candidate.
What is the purpose of lung cancer screenings?
When we catch lung cancer early, there are more treatment options, and you are more likely to survive.
What is lung cancer screening?
It is a quick and painless yearly CT scan of your lungs to check for changes that may indicate lung cancer.
Who should get it?
TCC follows the American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screenings. This means you may qualify if:
- You are a current or former cigarette smoker at any point in your life (Although we encourage everyone to reduce or quit smoking cigarettes, you do not have to quit smoking to get this test done); and
- You are aged 50-80 years old; and
- You have a certain smoking history.
What happens during the test?
- The test occurs at the CAIHC radiology department.
- You are taken back to the CT machine. This is the machine that has a large “donut” shape.
- You lay down with your arms above your head, then go through the machine and come back out.
- It’s a quick test that does not require you to lay down for long periods of time.
- No IVs or medications are needed.
How do I get one?
It’s important to talk with a healthcare provider before ordering the test, so that you can learn the pros and cons of getting the yearly screening. These conversations can happen in person or over the phone:
- Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you qualify.
- Call the clinic and ask to talk to the lung cancer screening program. We can ask you a few short questions to see if you qualify.
What are the drawbacks to lung cancer screenings?
- You are exposed to a small amount of radiation with each CT scan. This can put you at risk of developing cancer in the future.
- The chance of getting cancer from these yearly scans is very low, less than 1%.
- A “low dose CT” is used for these scans, it has 1/5th the amount of radiation as a normal CT.
- We may find other health issues, which may need further testing or imaging.
Please call CAIHC to talk to the lung cancer screening program or talk to your health care provider with any questions. If you know anyone who may qualify, please tell them about the screening!