Think Twice Before Saying Yes to This Test

We all want to catch cancer early. That’s why the word screening sounds so reassuring—it feels proactive, smart, even life-saving.

But when it comes to lung cancer screening, especially for older adults with multiple health concerns, new research suggests the story is more complicated than it seems.

In fact, one U.S. study found that many people with limited life expectancy or serious health conditions were undergoing lung scans even though the risks might outweigh the benefits.

It’s not that these patients were uninformed. Most said they trusted their doctors. Some wanted peace of mind. Others simply didn’t want to regret missing something serious.

But here’s the problem: most weren’t told about the downsides of screening.

The test itself—called a low-dose CT scan—is noninvasive. But if it picks up a suspicious spot on your lung, it can lead to follow-up procedures like biopsies or bronchoscopies… which are not so easy.

And in many cases, those follow-ups turn out to be false alarms. That means more stress, more testing, and sometimes unnecessary treatment.

Some patients in the study even admitted they wouldn’t want aggressive cancer treatments if something were found. Yet they agreed to screening anyway, not realizing what it might lead to.

This is why major health guidelines—including those used in both the U.S. and Italy—recommend against lung cancer screening for people with multiple serious health issues or limited life expectancy.

That’s because the chances of being harmed—by complications, stress, or overtreatment—are higher than the chance of living longer or healthier.

So what should you do if your doctor recommends a lung scan?

Ask questions. Lots of them.

• What happens if the scan shows something suspicious?
• Am I healthy enough to benefit from early treatment?
• Could my other health conditions make screening risky?
• Is this test likely to change the course of my care—or just add more worry?

And here’s the most important tip: Don’t go it alone. Talk with your doctor—and if possible, a family member or caregiver—about your overall health goals.

Sometimes the best decision is to skip a test that’s unlikely to help. And that’s not giving up.

That’s choosing wisely.

Remember, good medicine isn’t about doing everything possible—it’s about doing what’s right for you.

To your health and peace of mind,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

Sources:

Riboldi, E. (2024, April 19). Why Lung Cancer Screening Is Not for Everyone. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/why-lung-cancer-screening-not-everyone-2024a10007kr