Former smokers need lung screening up to 15 years after quitting

Former smokers need to undergo lung screening for up to 15 years after quitting, according to Dr. Hana Khairina Putri Faisal, a pulmonology and respiratory medicine specialist at Columbia Asia Hospital Pulomas, East Jakarta.

Annual screening using Low Dose CT Scan (LDCT) is recommended for people aged 50–80 years who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years, are still smoking, or have quit smoking within the last 15 years, Hana said in Jakarta on Friday.

Hana explained that one pack-year is equivalent to smoking one pack per day for one year.

She noted that lung cancer often does not cause typical symptoms in its early stages. This can result in some cases only being identified when the disease has reached an advanced stage, making treatment more limited.

One method used to help detect lung cancer in high-risk groups is LDCT. This examination uses lower radiation doses than conventional CT scans but can still produce detailed images of the lungs to help identify nodules or other abnormalities.

Early-stage lung cancer often shows no symptoms. Through Low Dose CT Scan, abnormalities can be detected earlier, increasing the chances of successful treatment, Hana said.

According to Hana, the decision to undergo LDCT should be discussed with a doctor based on age, smoking history, health condition, and the individual’s ability to undergo follow-up if abnormalities are found.

In addition, preventive measures should be taken by quitting smoking, avoiding second-hand smoke, reducing exposure to pollution and hazardous substances in the workplace, and having persistent respiratory complaints examined.

Do not wait for severe symptoms before paying attention to lung health. However, examinations should also not be carried out without medical assessment. Consultation helps determine whether someone truly needs screening and which examination is most appropriate, Hana explained.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In 2022, an estimated 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths were attributed to the disease.

Smoking is the main risk factor, while exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution, and hazardous substances in the work environment can also increase the risk.