Lung Cancer

If you are a long term smoker or were and have quit in the last 15 years, or suffering from ongoing symptoms such as breathlessness, cough or fatigue, make an appointment with your GP for further investigation with low dose chest CT.

Early intervention results in significant reductions in lung cancer mortality and diagnosis of a larger proportion of lung cancers at earlier stages.

In Australia, around 85% of lung cancer cases in men and 70% in women are estimated to be a result of smoking tobacco, according to the Cancer Council. Second-hand smoking, exposure to asbestos, occupational substances, family history and old age also contribute to the cause of lung cancer.

Female touching her neck with both of her hands with a look of pain on her face for lung cancer awareness month

What is lung cancer?

According to the Cancer Council, Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia excluding non-melanoma cancers. It is responsible for almost one in five cancer deaths in Australia. It is estimated that more than 14,700 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, the average age at diagnosis is 72 years old.

Visit the Cancer Council website for details on how the cancer is formed and why.

Cancer Council Lung Cancer Guide

Symptoms

Early detection can save your life, if you experience any of the below symptoms make an appointment with your general practitioner.

shortness of breath
changes to the voice such as hoarseness
chest pain
coughing or spitting up blood
a new cough that does not go away
chest infection that lasts more than three weeks or keeps coming back
enlarged fingertips
loss of appetite / unexplained weight loss
tiredness

Radiology

Medical Imaging

CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images of the lungs and are used for initial diagnosis, staging, and monitoring the response to treatment. This type of scan provides information about the size, location and characteristics of the nodules or tumors within the lungs.

CT scans are painless and straightforward. Examination time varies from 5 to 15 minutes and recent advancements now enable multi-slice CT scanners to obtain multiple cross-sectional slices during a single rotation.

PET/CT

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a diagnostic tool which combines the functional information of a PET scan with the structural information of a CT scan. It shows the chemical function of an organ or tissue. A radioactive glucose is injected via a vein and is then absorbed by tissue into your body. The PET scanner then detects the activity within your organs and how they function which will help your Doctor plan the appropriate treatment for you.

Chest X-Ray

Chest X-rays are often the initial imaging test used to detect abnormalities in the lungs. They can reveal the presence of lung masses, nodules, or other abnormalities.

MRI

While not as commonly used as CT and PET/CT, however, MRI can provide detailed images of lung tumors, particularly for tumors in the mediastinum (the area between the lungs). It is useful in specific cases, such as evaluating certain mediastinal masses.

Biopsy

A lung cancer biopsy is a medical procedure in which a sample of tissue from the lung is removed and examined in a laboratory to determine if cancer is present and, if so, to identify the type and stage of the cancer. Biopsies are crucial for confirming the diagnosis of lung cancer and for guiding treatment decisions.

EARLY DETECTION COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Talk to your doctor today about how a medical imaging scan can assess your risk.

Lung Cancer

What is lung cancer?

Symptoms

Radiology

EARLY DETECTION COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

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