Ask the Experts Blog

In 2018, the most common type of cancer treated at Lakeland hospitals was lung cancer. Experts agree that smoking is a main cause of the disease, and, according to the American Lung Association, the habit contributes to an estimated 80 to 90% of lung cancer deaths in the United States.

The good news: four simple questions can help save lives.

You might wish you had quit tobacco sooner, but you can take steps right now to understand your risk and monitor your health by answering these questions:

• Are you between the ages of 55 and 80?

• Do you have a history of smoking?

• Have you smoked the equivalent of 30 pack years? (multiply the number of packs smoked a day by the number of years smoked)

• Are you a current smoker or quit within the last 15 years?

Your answers will help identify if you should undergo further screening. Those scoring at high risk are recommended for a low-dose CT scan which can help detect lung cancer earlier, when it’s most treatable. The scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the lungs and is intended for those who answer yes to all four questions above.

To take the test and find out your risk score, click here