CT lung cancer screening

Posted by joelars @joelars, Jul 7, 2019

I listened to a discussion concerning cancer screening. It was the opinion of the oncologists that doctors continue screenings late into the patients life where the risks of radiation exposure outweigh any benefits because the patient doesn't have enough years, statistically, to live. Does anyone know about what age is the right age to discontinue cancer screenings?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

@merpreb It wasn't a scar. The doctor told me it was liquid. Probably infectious stuff. But the problem is if it didn't go away or got worse after all this time wouldn't that mean I have an antibiotic-immune lung infection? What could they do except lung surgery? Does anyone in the group know anyone who has a lung infection that won't resolve? Of course, with a new scan it opens new possibilities-they may find a tumor in addition to unresolved infections, in which case I won't have to concern myself with the infection.The infection would be trivial by comparison. If I didn't have that follow-up x-ray I wouldn't be dealing with any of this. Too bad you deleted the African salesman with the herbal cure for emphysema.I might need the herbal doctors name after hearing the results of this x-ray.

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@bluelagoon

@merpreb @colleenyoung I agree that it gets confusing when there's a post without a directon, but I'm pretty sure I've done that myself.
I know when I post by hitting "reply" on your message I expect it to know that it's you whom I'm replying but that doesn't seem like the case! When all the user comments were coming up when they made changes awhile back do you recall if this came up? At the time I hadn't used it enough to have questions like that!

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@bluelagoon, You can see examples in this discussion of how replies display when one replies or posts to the discussion in general vs when one replies to a specific post within the discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-customize-the-order-you-view-posts-see-new-posts-first/

By @mentioning a person's username, it can provide an extra aide to know which person one is responding to, especially when discussions are very active with multiple tangents etc.

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@joelars

@merpreb It wasn't a scar. The doctor told me it was liquid. Probably infectious stuff. But the problem is if it didn't go away or got worse after all this time wouldn't that mean I have an antibiotic-immune lung infection? What could they do except lung surgery? Does anyone in the group know anyone who has a lung infection that won't resolve? Of course, with a new scan it opens new possibilities-they may find a tumor in addition to unresolved infections, in which case I won't have to concern myself with the infection.The infection would be trivial by comparison. If I didn't have that follow-up x-ray I wouldn't be dealing with any of this. Too bad you deleted the African salesman with the herbal cure for emphysema.I might need the herbal doctors name after hearing the results of this x-ray.

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@joelars- Good morning Joe. Where to begin? My first impression is that you might be spending way too much time thinking about your health and what could happen, what does this mean? Is it cancer, maybe I'm immune? I'm sorry if this will upset you but my advice is to stop watching health videos or programs. Make sure that you go to good medical sites.
https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&source=hp&ei=N6ItXYSJKczWtQaWsY6oDA&q=medical+research+organizations&oq=medical+research&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i20i263j0l9.1359.9196..12714...9.0..0.399.3221.8j16j1j1......0....1..gws-wiz.....10..35i39j0i131j0i67j0i10.IV-wn7NBGQo.
Look at the top line of logos.

If there is still liquid in your lung it doesn't necessarily mean that your pneumonia is antibiotic-immune because you would still be ill, I would think. But it most likely is yucky stuff that needs more time to clear up. Antibiotics last longer than your last pill. It's an accumulative effect. Pneumonia is pretty serious. I bet that you were pretty ill. It can take weeks and weeks to clear up.
There is no herbal or other cure for emphysema, period. It's a life time disease mostly caused by smoking, and it involves damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have trouble breathing during exercise. The most common cause is cigarette smoking. It is a subset of COPD.
https://lunginstitute.com/blog/emphysema-prognosis-treatment-options/---

Please don't fall for scams. That African Company is a known scam artist and offers false hope for too many people who want to believe in fairy tales. Believe this: If it's too good to be true it isn't. And that's the truth. Can you believe this? Listen to your doctor. DO you trust him/her? If you do than just stay your course and be happy. Can you do this?

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@merpreb

@joelars- Good morning Joe. Where to begin? My first impression is that you might be spending way too much time thinking about your health and what could happen, what does this mean? Is it cancer, maybe I'm immune? I'm sorry if this will upset you but my advice is to stop watching health videos or programs. Make sure that you go to good medical sites.
https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&source=hp&ei=N6ItXYSJKczWtQaWsY6oDA&q=medical+research+organizations&oq=medical+research&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i20i263j0l9.1359.9196..12714...9.0..0.399.3221.8j16j1j1......0....1..gws-wiz.....10..35i39j0i131j0i67j0i10.IV-wn7NBGQo.
Look at the top line of logos.

If there is still liquid in your lung it doesn't necessarily mean that your pneumonia is antibiotic-immune because you would still be ill, I would think. But it most likely is yucky stuff that needs more time to clear up. Antibiotics last longer than your last pill. It's an accumulative effect. Pneumonia is pretty serious. I bet that you were pretty ill. It can take weeks and weeks to clear up.
There is no herbal or other cure for emphysema, period. It's a life time disease mostly caused by smoking, and it involves damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have trouble breathing during exercise. The most common cause is cigarette smoking. It is a subset of COPD.
https://lunginstitute.com/blog/emphysema-prognosis-treatment-options/---

Please don't fall for scams. That African Company is a known scam artist and offers false hope for too many people who want to believe in fairy tales. Believe this: If it's too good to be true it isn't. And that's the truth. Can you believe this? Listen to your doctor. DO you trust him/her? If you do than just stay your course and be happy. Can you do this?

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I was kidding about the herbal medicine. I'm sorry but my sarcasm is the result of my frustration with our medical system- its inability to effectively address illnesses like emphysema and COPD. I was pointing out the similarity between the scam artist and "legitimate medicine" where both seek your money and neither delivers a cure.
At what point do I withdraw my trust from a system that's only function is diagnosing conditions they're helpless to treat? Speaking as a patient whose doctors charge him but can't help him, I have the right to make light of the situation. Maybe most of us should be less solicitous and more demanding of our medical system (I realize some of us have survived cancer because of our doctors). They are well paid. They need to do better.

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@joelars

I was kidding about the herbal medicine. I'm sorry but my sarcasm is the result of my frustration with our medical system- its inability to effectively address illnesses like emphysema and COPD. I was pointing out the similarity between the scam artist and "legitimate medicine" where both seek your money and neither delivers a cure.
At what point do I withdraw my trust from a system that's only function is diagnosing conditions they're helpless to treat? Speaking as a patient whose doctors charge him but can't help him, I have the right to make light of the situation. Maybe most of us should be less solicitous and more demanding of our medical system (I realize some of us have survived cancer because of our doctors). They are well paid. They need to do better.

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Oh @merpreb I think the time frames are confusing. I understood it takes time for the infection to clear up. That explains the x-ray I had several weeks after the pneumonia. What I'm talking about is the x-ray I'm having this week that is 4 months later.The doc is looking to see if that area is gone. If it isn't, after 4 months, I can conclude the antibiotics didn't work.

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what is the shortest time period anyone has had between a "clean" lung scan and a scan disclosing a tumor?

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@joelars- Usually 3 months because it takes time for cells to multiply. Here is some information for you: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=screening-lung

What is the shortest time for everyone else?

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@joelars

When I quit 14 years ago I saw a pulmonologist and was diagnosed with COPD. My response was to work-out daily, including yoga, weights and running, (actually slow jogs) every other day. I'm not really on anything.albuterol occasionally. the doc didn't seem to have an answer. He also wasn't very concerned and hasn't seen me in years. He thinks I'm doing fine.I would like to get a thorough work-up at mayo.However, I don't think they will have anything to offer someone who functions as well as I do.

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God Bless

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@merpreb

@joelars- Usually 3 months because it takes time for cells to multiply. Here is some information for you: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=screening-lung

What is the shortest time for everyone else?

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@merpreb My scans are 4 months apart. I'm hoping it is unusual to find the tumor in this shortest period? the problem is I told the doctor not to call me and instead I scheduled an appointment, because last time he called and told me to come in. I waited 1 week thinking I had cancer only to find out it was a residue of the infection. But the downside is I have to wait 4 days to see him on this recent test. I googled the symptoms of lung cancer and I don't have wheezing, blood, pain in arm or chest, cough, weakness but the article also said many people don't have any symptoms early on. I'm hoping if I do have a tumor, it could only be 4 months old and therefore small? so maybe they could successfully remove it?

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Had a CY scan to check heart health. Int hat can was found a mall spot in my lower right lung. Had a biopsy done and it was early cancer. I could have waited and we could have watched to see what might happen. However, my doctor and I decided to get rid fo the thing and I had a lobectomy VATS surgery to remove it and the surrounding tissue. It was so small they think they got it before any spread happened. Tests show I am clear. My point is, if there is something suspicious, i'd have it taken out, especially while it is noticed early. With VATS surgery, the healing time was pretty fast and easy.I am due back after 6 moths for a CT scan to make sure all i clear. My doctor is pretty darned hopeful al is well. If you are comfortable with your doctor, see him about the results as soon as you and he are able to meet. It will reassure you. Hope this helps. I'm pulling for you!

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