Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
CT Lung Screenings
The second leading cancer in both men and women is LUNG CANCER. According to the American Cancer Society’s Statistics, this year there will be 224,390 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed and 158,080 deaths from lung cancer. Despite these grim statistics, nearly 430,000 people today, have at some point in their lives been diagnosed with lung cancer, and yet they are alive and well with zero remission. This is predominantly because it was caught early enough through lung cancer screenings.
There are three main types of lung cancer:
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Lung Carcinoid Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type, affecting nearly 85% of those with lung cancer. Fortunately, this form of carcinoma usually grows at a slower rate. There are three subsets that makeup NSCLC, Squamous, adenocarcinoma and large cell.
Small Cell or oat cell cancer affects nearly 10% of the lung cancer population and spreads very rapidly.
Lung Carcinoid affects about 5% of those with lung cancer. It grows very slowly and rarely spreads.
Inappropriately, the stereotype that often coincides with a lung cancer diagnosis is that patients are assumed to be smokers. But the stark reality is that many cases of lung cancers are diagnosed in patients that have never smoked a day in their life.
Non-smokers that have lung cancer are usually identified as those that have been exposed to environmental carcinogens like, cleaning products, diesel exhaust, radon gas, asbestos or those with genetic mutations. Research suggests that screening a high-risk population for lung cancer can drastically reduce the number of mortalities from this disease.
Screening via a CT scan of the chest
CT scans are advantageous in identifying and screening for lung cancers. If lung cancers are found in the early stages, the treatment options and outcomes are much more successful. Because CT scans can detect very small masses in the lungs, by discovering cancerous tumors at an early stage, an individual’s survival rate may be significantly improved.
Low Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer
At RAVE, Radiology Associates of Venice & Englewood, they have a new, state-of-the-art, low dose 128 slice CT that is used in lung cancer screenings.
A Low Dose CT lung screening is an exam with the ability to detect lung cancer in its earliest stages when it’s most treatable. It consists of a low dose, non-contrasted CT that scans the entire chest in less than 10 seconds.
Lung cancer screenings are very important for smokers and former smokers, especially those 55-75 years of age. This is due to the prevalence of lung cancer seen in this population. The screenings are also vital for individuals exposed to carcinogens, or those that show any signs and symptoms of lung disorders.
Given the advantages of having lung screenings with CT scans, due to the higher resolution and ability to detect very tiny cancer cells, there is a proven reduction in lung cancer related deaths compared to those patients who are tested with X-ray alone.
Radiology Associates of Venice and Englewood
RAVE, understands the importance of providing the best technology and the most advanced diagnostic tools for their patients.
RAVE is physician owned and has been practicing for over 30 years. They currently consist of 10 board certified radiologists, many of which have postgraduate fellowships with subspecialty training, all of whom have years of fulltime experience. There are over 90 health care professions working with RAVE to provide the best possible radiologic services in Sarasota County. In addition to their personnel, they have some of the best radiologic imaging devices available preventing delays in your treatment. Superior visualization makes your diagnoses accurate and timely, preventing potentially dangerous delays in initiation of your therapy. At RAVE, you can have confidence you will receive the highest level of care with the latest technology.
RAVE Diagnostic Services
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• 3T Wide Bore MRI (Open)
• Multi-Slice CT
• Cancer
• Heart Calcium Screening
• MRA
• CTA
• P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography)
• Digital Mammography
• Nuclear Medicine
• Ultrasound
• Osteoporosis (Bone Density/DEXA) Evaluation
• Diagnostic Radiology/X-ray
• Non-invasive Vascular Testing
• 3D Mammography
• Interventional Radiology
To find out if you’re a candidate for CT Lung Cancer Screening, you can use the Lung Cancer Risk Calculator at http://www.shouldiscreen.com.
For more information, please visit their website at www.RaveRad.com
Radiology Associates of Venice & Englewood
VENICE
512-516 S. Nokomis Ave
Venice, FL 34285
941-488-7781
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
ENGLEWOOD
900 Pine Street
Englewood, FL 34223
941-475-5471
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
