Three lung cancer screening tests exist: chest X-ray, sputum cytology, and spiral CT. All three can diagnose lung cancer, but in the past none of them were proven to improve outcomes as part of routine screening. Some current studies of spiral CT scans suggest screening of current or former smokers does improve outcome. However, spiral CT is still not endorsed as a screening test by major organizations. Some of the concerns with screening include the risk of false positives which can lead to unnecessary biopsies. The studies that showed improvement involved patients aged 55-74 years with the equivalent smoking of history of 30 packs a day for 30 years. It is not known if benefits exist for screening different age groups and patients with different smoking history. If you are a smoker, you can consider having this test and discuss it with your physician.

It was predicited that in 2010 in the United States, over 157,000 people would die of lung cancer, making it the number one cancer killer in America at four times the death rate of the second leading cancer killer, breast cancer. In addition, an estimated 222,000 new cases of lung cancer were expected to arise in 2010. Most lung cancer (80-90%) is caused by cigarette smoking. Lung cancer incidence is directly related to the amount smoking in a person's lifetime. Other possible causes of lung cancer are radiation and pollution, though these cases are much rarer than smoking-related cases.

Chest X-ray: You may be asked to remove your jewelry and change into a hospital gown. Two images are typically taken of your lungs while you are standing up, and the process is painless.
Sputum cytology: You will be asked to cough and produce some sputum for cell analysis.
Spiral CT: The spiral CT scan also produces X-ray images so again you may be asked to remove your jewelry and change into a hospital gown. In this case, however, images are taken while you are lying down.

Chest X-ray and spiral CT: Since you will have to remove your jewelry and change into a hospital gown, you should dress appropriately.
Sputum cytology: No special instructions.

• Smoking
• Exposure to high levels of pollution
• Carcinogens like radon gas, asbestos, arsenic
• Diet high in fat and cholesterol
• Alcohol