The 2024 State of Lung Cancer report unearthed some scary statistics about lung cancer in Florida. The data, released by the American Lung Association, revealed that shockingly, only 15% of at-risk Floridians get screened. The knock-on effect is that only 25% of cases are caught early.
Most cases are not diagnosed until the disease has reached a late stage. This reduces the survival rate dramatically from 63% to just 8%. It’s clear that catching lung cancer early is key for effective treatment. However, with so few Florida residents getting screened, what does the process involve, and should you visit the clinic?
The State of Lung Cancer in Florida
Lung cancer is one of Florida’s biggest killers, second only to heart disease. Despite that, many people aren’t getting themselves checked. In fact, Florida is distinctly below average when it comes to early state diagnosis, ranked 40th out of the 47 states that measure this data.
That being said, the five-year survival rate is 29%, significantly higher than the national average. This highlights the advancements in modern treatments and shows that a lung cancer diagnosis isn’t necessarily a death sentence. But the most important thing is catching it early enough for therapy to be effective.
Who Should Get Screened?
If you’re part of a high-risk group, it’s recommended that you get screened annually. This includes people aged between 50 and 80 years old. If you currently smoke and have a smoking history of 20 or more pack years, you’re also at risk. You can calculate 20 pack years as one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, or three packs a day for almost seven years, and so on. Even if you quit smoking within the last 15 years, you may still need to be screened.
Other environmental factors can put you at risk of developing lung cancer, such as exposure to dangerous levels of radon or air pollution. Any exposure to asbestos causes irreparable lung damage and is linked to a rare but aggressive type of cancer called mesothelioma. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a lung cancer lawsuit against the party responsible for your asbestos exposure.
What Does a Screening Involve?
The screening process is remarkably simple, quick, and totally painless. It only takes a few minutes and, generally speaking, is covered by health insurance. For those without insurance, most healthcare centres offer reduced rates.
At your screening, you’ll be asked to lie down on a table while a low-dose CT scan takes a picture of your lungs. You can expect results within a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Compared to traditional CT scans, this low-dose method only uses about one fifth of the radiation. It’s safe, easy, and the most valuable tool in early cancer detection. These few minutes at a medical center could significantly increase your length and quality of life.
Endnote
Too many Floridians are being diagnosed too late, but you don’t need to be another statistic. If you’re high-risk, you have symptoms, or have been exposed to dangerous levels of cancer-causing toxins, consider getting a screening. It could be a life-saving decision.
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