CHICAGO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The American Lung Association has initiated a national campaign earlier August to educate Americans about what it calls a groundbreaking lung cancer screening for those at high risk.
A low-dose CT scan is a special kind of X-ray that takes multiple pictures as you lie on a table that slides in and out of the machine. A computer then combines these images into a detailed picture of your lungs.
According to the website of the Chicago-based American Lung Association, study on early detection of lung cancer found that only the low-dose CT scan can reduce mortality for those at high risk.
This campaign targets the estimated 9 million people in the U.S. who are at high risk for lung cancer and should talk to their doctor about getting screened.
A person is considered high risk for lung cancer if they are between 55 to 80 years old and have a 30 pack-year history of smoking, which means 1 pack a day for 30 years or 2 packs a day for 15 years.
"Lung cancer screening is a powerful opportunity to save lives by diagnosing the disease in early stages when the disease is more curable," said American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer.
"Screening can potentially save thousands of lives, and through this campaign we hope to empower and motivate former and current smokers to learn more about their screening options," he added.
