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Risks of Lung Cancer Screening
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Screening tests have risks.
Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks. Before having any screening test, you may
want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the risks of
the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
The risks of lung cancer screening tests include the following:
Finding lung cancer may not improve health or help you live
longer.
Screening
may not improve your health or help you live longer if you have advanced lung cancer or if it has already spread to
other places in your body.
Some cancers never cause symptoms or become life-threatening, but if found by a screening
test, the cancer may be treated. It is not known if treatment of these cancers would help you live longer than if no treatment were given, and treatments for cancer may have serious side effects.
False-negative test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be normal even though lung cancer is
present. A person who receives a false-negative test result (one that
shows there is no cancer when there really is) may delay seeking medical care even if there are symptoms.
False-positive test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no
cancer is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn't) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests (such as biopsy), which also have risks. A biopsy to diagnose lung cancer can cause part of the lung to collapse. Sometimes surgery is needed to reinflate the lung.
Chest x-rays expose the chest to radiation.
Radiation exposure
from chest x-rays may increase the
risk of developing certain cancers, such as breast cancer.
Your doctor can advise you about your risk for lung cancer and your need for screening tests.
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