33% of Americans unaware of life-saving lung cancer screening
CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder discusses the importance of getting screened for lung cancer.
The new ALA survey canvassed 4,000 people across the United States about their knowledge of lung cancer and the availability of screening.
Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT (LDCT) scans has been widely recommended for people at high risk of developing the disease, but a new survey from the American Lung Association (ALA) finds that the majority of Americans are unfamiliar with this life-saving screening.
The survey, which was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, found that only 33% of Americans have ever heard of lung cancer screening, and only 13% have ever had a screening. This is despite the fact that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, killing more people than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined.
Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and an internist and epidemiologist at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City, said the survey results are "alarming." She said that lung cancer screening is a "critical tool" for detecting lung cancer early, when it is most treatable.
"Lung cancer screening can save lives," Gounder said. "It's a simple, painless test that can detect lung cancer at an early stage, when it's most curable."
Gounder said that she hopes the survey results will raise awareness of lung cancer screening and encourage more people to get screened.
"I urge everyone who is at high risk for lung cancer to talk to their doctor about getting screened," Gounder said. "It could save your life."
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