#LUNG #CANCER #SCREENING

New Guidelines from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) now recommend annual lung cancer screening with low–dose computed tomography (LDCT) for individuals at high risk. This includes people aged 55 to 80 years with a history of heavy smoking, even if they have quit within the past 15 years. The update comes in response to growing evidence that early detection through LDCT significantly reduces mortality by identifying lung cancer in its early, more treatable stages. Unlike traditional X-rays, low-dose CT scans can detect small nodules that might otherwise go unnoticed. The AATS emphasizes that screening should be done in combination with smoking cessation support, follow-up care, and risk evaluation. These guidelines are a step forward in improving survival rates, as lung cancer often goes undiagnosed until it’s advanced. Annual LDCT screening is now considered a key tool in the fight against one of the deadliest forms of cancer.