6 VITALITY Fall 2026 Lung cancer screening at CMH Screening CT scans can detect lung cancer at an early stage, before symptoms appear and when it is most treatable. “Early detection through screening has been shown to significantly improve survival rates and reduce the risk of death from lung cancer,” says pulmonologist Jason Bailey, D.O. Screenings are recommended for people who: ● Are between 50 and 80 years old. ● Smoke currently or have quit within the past 15 years. ● Have a 20 pack-year smoking history. (For example, this means smoking a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.) Want to know if lung cancer screening is right for you? Call the CMH Pulmonology Clinic at 417-328-6055 to connect with an expert who can help. Want to quit smoking? The CMH Medication Management Clinic can give you the support you need to quit smoking. Call 417-328-7880 to make an appointment. 5 facts about lung cancer 1. It’s all too common. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths. 2. Smoking causes most lung cancers. Up to 9 out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking. Other possible causes include exposure to radon (an underground gas that can seep into homes), secondhand tobacco smoke or air pollution, or a family history of lung cancer. 3. You can have it and not even know it. Lung cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms until it has spread. Symptoms may include a chronic or worsening cough, a hoarse voice, frequent lung infections, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath. 4. Screening can spot lung cancer early, when treatment is most effective. If you’re a former or current smoker between the ages of 50 and 80, you may qualify for lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scans. 5. Treatment options vary by lung cancer type. Non-small-cell lung cancer, a more common type, can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or targeted therapy. Small-cell lung cancer is often treated with radiation and chemotherapy. Treatment options also depend on whether the cancer has spread and how far. When it comes to lung cancer, knowing a few facts may help you stay informed and protected. Check out these key points:
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