A LIFESAVING TEST FOR LUNG CANCER

If you're a heavy smoker - or used to be - getting screened with a low dose chest CT scan may cut your risk of dying of lung cancer by 20 percent, a major study reported in November 2012. "There's nothing short of stopping smoking, or never starting smoking,, that has that sort of impact on lung cancer- that's huge." says Ernest T.Hawk, MD, ice President for cancer prevention and population
sciences at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

 CT SCAN MAY CUT RISK OF LUNG CANCER BY 20 PERCENT

This doesn't mean everyone should line up for CT scan. The exam involves significant radiation and has serious downsides  including false alarms that can lead to unnecessary surgery. Still, says Dr Hawk, "we have very few options for lung cancer once it's established. This test will likely have profound implications."