Lung Cancer

• Smoking - Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Other tobacco products such as cigars or pipes also increase the risk for lung cancer.
• Secondhand Smoke – Smoke from other people’s cigarettes, pipes, or cigars also causes lung cancer.
• Radon – Second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that forms in rocks, soil, and water. When it gets into buildings through cracks or holes, it can get trapped and build up in the air inside. People who live or work in these homes and buildings breathe in high radon levels.
• Other Substances – Examples of substances found at some workplaces that increase risk include asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, and some forms of silica and chromium.
• Personal or Family History of Lung Cancer – If you are a lung cancer survivor, there is a risk that you may develop another lung cancer, especially if you smoke. Your risk of lung cancer may be higher if your parents, brothers or sisters, or children have had lung cancer.
• Radiation Therapy to the Chest – Cancer survivors who had radiation therapy to the chest are at higher risk of lung cancer.
• Diet – People who smoke and take beta-carotene supplements have increased risk of lung cancer. Also, arsenic and radon in drinking water (primarily from private wells) can increase the risk of lung cancer.

Source: What Are the Risk Factors for Lung Cancer? | CDC

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for those who are:

• Adults aged 50 to 80 years.
• 20 pack-year smoking history; this is determined by the average number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years a person has smoked. Calculate pack years using shouldiscreen.com.
• Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Source: CDC - Who Should Be Screened for Lung Cancer?

Upon reading these recommendations, talk with your health care provider if you believe you are eligible for screening.

The Lung Cancer Early Detection Program is working to increase the rate of lung cancer screening in Michigan. Lung cancer screening has been proven to reduce lung cancer deaths. The program promotes policy and health systems change as a way to help ensure all eligible people receive lung cancer screening. This includes determination of eligibility for lung cancer screening and also referrals to both lung cancer screening and tobacco dependence treatment services.

• Program Accomplishments 

• Lung Cancer Data - MDHHS - Cancer Epidemiology
• Lung Cancer in Michigan fact sheet

• American Cancer Society - Lung Cancer Guide
• "Cancer Doesn't Wait, Neither Should You" - A video by the CDC emphasizing the importance of regularly getting screened for cancer.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Lung Cancer Screening
• Michigan Tobacco Quitline - Taking your first steps toward becoming tobacco free.
  1-800-Quit Now (784-8669)
• National Cancer Institute

• National Cancer Institute
• Lung Cancer Screening Coding:
  • Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening FAQ | American College of Radiology
  • Billing and Coding: IDTFs and Low Dose CT Scan for Lung Cancer Screening for CPT Code 71271
  • LuCa Codes For Lung Cancer Screening
  • LuCa 2019 Insurance Report
• US Preventive Services Task Force
  Final Recommendation Statement - Lung Cancer: Screening
• Michigan Tobacco Quitline - Help Your Patients Become Tobacco Free
  1-800-Quit Now (784-8669)
• George Washington Cancer Center
  Lung Cancer Awareness Month Social Media Toolkit 2020 (gwu.edu)
• Other cancer-related social media toolkits
  Social Media Toolkits | Cancer Control Tap (gwu.edu)

• The National Lung Cancer Roundtable (NLCRT) is committed to its mission of creating lung cancer survivors. 

  • The NLCRT, along with partners, is hosting a 7-part webinar series from June 30 - November 17, 2021. For more information and to register: ACR Webinar. The series will focus on the new lung cancer screening eligibility criteria from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.