X-Ray
Smoker’s Lungs X-Ray. A smoker’s lungs are typically dark black. Smoker’s lung x-rays may have white lines that indicate scarring and congestion.
Lung cancer screening is recommended only at facilities that have experience performing LDCT lung scans and have a team of specialists to follow up patients with abnormal results on the LDCT scans.[1]
Spirometry
Spirometry is a non-invasive test that helps doctors check the airways and how well you breathe. It’s mainly used by respiratory therapists to help them make a diagnosis, but it can also be helpful after lung or heart surgery.
Spirometers typically have a mouthpiece for you to breath through and a cylinder containing balls or a piston that moves in response to your breathing. The stronger your breath, the more the piston moves.
Incentive spirometers are often prescribed after a person has undergone surgery or is sick to promote lung expansion, improve ventilation and reduce atelectasis (poorly ventilated areas of the lungs). They can be a useful tool during prolonged bed rest to minimise the impact of COPD on a patient’s recovery.[2]
It’s important for patients to quit smoking as a way to help their lungs recover. It also helps to prevent exacerbations of their symptoms.
Chest X-ray
Your doctor may recommend a chest X-ray to help your doctor diagnose lung problems, such as lung cancer. This exam uses a small amount of radiation to make detailed images of the lungs.
The X-ray is a painless, noninvasive test that can be done in the office. The technologist will step away from you for a few seconds while a ray passes through your body.
A chest X-ray helps your doctor see the shape of your heart and outline of the blood vessels in your lungs. It can also show if there is fluid in your lungs or around them.[3]
X-rays can show abnormalities of the heart, such as calcium deposits in your heart’s blood vessels. They can also be used to detect enlargement of the heart due to problems such as heart failure.
Chest X-rays can also help your doctor diagnose other conditions, such as pneumonia and pneumothorax. These can be life-threatening.
CT scans
CT (computed tomography) scans are X-rays combined with computer technology to produce detailed pictures of almost any part of the body. They are commonly used to diagnose disease, injury and to plan medical, surgical or radiation treatment.
The lungs are one of the most common parts of the body to be scanned by CT. This exam can be used to screen for lung cancer in high-risk people.
In addition, a new study has found that smokers who undergo a CT scan to check their lungs are more likely to quit smoking. This is according to a trial that evaluated low-dose chest CT screening for lung cancer, also known as LDCT.[4]
The study, which was conducted in the UK, compared the effectiveness of low-dose chest CT scanning for lung cancer screening to standard care in a group of high-risk individuals. It found that smokers who were randomly assigned to CT screening (intervention) were more than twice as likely to quit smoking compared to participants in the control group (no screening).
Electrocardiogram
Smokers are at a much higher risk of developing conditions such as cancer, heart disease and lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is because smoking causes irreversible damage to the airways in the lungs.
It also damages the blood vessels, making the blood “sticky” and more prone to clotting. This leads to the development of cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack.[5]
One way to help smokers quit is by arranging an electrocardiogram test that can be used in conjunction with lung cancer screening. This can help you identify smokers who may be at a greater risk for developing coronary artery disease, which is the most common cause of heart attacks in those who smoke.
To assess the effect of smoking on vascular inflammation, we examined pulmonary arteries in smokers with COPD and in nonsmokers with normal lung function. We found that CD8+ cells were increased in both lung parenchyma and pulmonary arteries of smokers with COPD as compared to nonsmokers with normal lung function (p 0.05).[6]
Diabetes screenings
Type 2 diabetes is an important risk factor for many malignancies and is associated with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) and insulinemia (high blood sugar levels due to high levels of insulin). Cancer cells are more dependent on glucose metabolism than non-cancer cells for growth, and the invasiveness of lung tumors is increased when patients have diabetes. Moreover, the impact of hyperglycemia on the histologic subtypes of lung cancer may vary by histological type and by whether the cancer is in the lungs or the liver.[6]
In the US, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults 45 years or older, regardless of their risk factors for diabetes, have random blood glucose tests or hemoglobin A1c tests. Repeat screening is recommended at 3 year intervals if test results are normal, and additional screening for risk factors is also recommended.
In a large sample of men, screening for diabetes did not significantly increase the incidence of lung cancer, in general or in specific lung cancer subtypes. The association was not statistically significant, and did not differ by sex, smoking status, BMI, education, pack years, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[7]
Vitamin D blood test
Your health care provider may order a blood test to check your vitamin D level. This vitamin helps your body build bones, maintain bone strength, and keep inflammation at bay.
Your healthcare provider will draw a small amount of blood from your arm and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The results are usually available within a few days.
The blood test can show whether your vitamin D levels are too high or too low, which can help your doctor diagnose a problem or recommend treatment. For example, if your results are too low, your doctor will likely recommend getting more sunlight or taking vitamin D supplements to raise your levels.[8]
A blood test can also tell your healthcare provider how much of the active form of vitamin D (25 hydroxyvitamin D) is in your body. This can help your doctor determine if you have problems with absorption of vitamin D from your intestines, liver, or kidney.
Besides helping your lungs stay healthy, the right vitamin D levels can prevent chronic lung infections that cause flares of COPD. These flares can make your symptoms worse and lead to hospitalizations.
Need more help?
The lungs are one of the most important and complex organs in our body. They play a crucial role in keeping our bodies healthy and functioning at their best. It’s no secret that smoking can be detrimental to the human lungs and respiratory system. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce your risk of lung disease. From a smoke-free home and workplace to better nutrition and exercise, there are many ways you can improve your health and well being. The best way to ensure that you don’t succumb to the charms of tobacco is to make the conscious effort to stop smoking in its tracks.[9]
Are You Ready to Quit Smoking?
Whether you want to quit for the first time or are making a habit change, it’s important to plan ahead. Think about a specific date you want to be smoke free and set yourself up to make it happen.
It’s also a good idea to get support from others who are trying to stop smoking. Tell your friends and family that you’re quitting and ask them to help you in any way they can.
One of the best ways to get support is by using a quitline, such as 1-800-QUIT-NOW. They are trained coaches who can share strategies to curb cravings, handle stress and tackle relapses with you.[10]
In the beginning, you may feel intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Over time, these feelings will gradually fade.
Medications such as nicotine replacement products and prescription medications like Zyban and Chantix help decrease cravings. These can double your chances of succeeding with quitting.
How Smoking Affects the Lungs
The lungs are the cone-shaped breathing organs in your chest that bring oxygen into your body and release carbon dioxide as you breathe out.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but other tobacco products, such as pipes and cigars, can also increase your risk. Lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to radon gas, asbestos, diesel exhaust and other air pollutants.[11]
What Does a Smoker’s X-Ray Look Like?
Lung cancer, the second most common type of cancer in both men and women (excluding skin cancer), is most commonly caused by smoking tobacco, but other factors such as radon exposure, genetics and exposure to chemicals or pollution can also increase a person’s risk.
Early diagnosis is crucial when it comes to lung cancer. Symptoms such as chest pain, coughing up blood or difficulty breathing can indicate the presence of cancer in the lungs, but most people don’t show any signs of it until it has advanced to the point that they need to see a doctor for a biopsy.[12]
Fortunately, there are tests that can help find and treat lung cancer earlier than other types of cancers. One of the most effective is a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan that can identify small lung lesions at an early stage when they’re easier to treat.
LDCT screening is now recommended by the United States Preventative Services Task Force to screen 55-74 year old asymptomatic smokers and former smokers, as well as those with a 20 pack-year smoking history who have quit within the past 15 years. The LDCT test uses less radiation than a standard chest X-ray and the results of the scan are much clearer, giving doctors a more accurate picture of the lungs.[13]
Function
Smoking affects the lungs in several ways. It can cause inflammation and damage to the lining of the airways. This can lead to a variety of health problems such as asthma and lung cancer.
The most common smoking related lung diseases include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Symptoms of these illnesses vary from person to person, but they are usually accompanied by coughing and wheezing.
Tobacco smoke has also been linked to fibrosis and fibroemphysema, which are two types of lung disease that can be diagnosed by CT scan. The lungs of people who have fibrosis have thickened walls and are filled with mucus.
These symptoms are often accompanied by other breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue. These problems can make it difficult for a smoker to breathe and stay active.[14]
Smoking is also known to paralyze the cilia, which are tiny hair-like cells that line the lungs. The chemicals in tobacco smoke make the cilia unable to catch toxins and move them out of the lungs.
Identification
A lung x ray is a type of medical test that shows pictures of the inside of the lungs. The images can show spots that are abnormal or cancerous and other health conditions.
Lung cancer screening helps detect lung tumors when they are still small and can be treated successfully. It also can reduce the risk of death from lung cancer.
Low-dose CT scans are the most effective way to screen for lung cancer in smokers. They are quick, painless and noninvasive.
You should get screened regularly for lung cancer if you are a smoker or a former smoker, age 50 to 80. You’ll be injected with a small amount of radioactive sugar called positron emission tomography (PET). This tagged sugar collects in lung tumors and other incidental cancers, highlighting them on your x-ray.[15]
Your doctor can use your x-rays, CT scans and PET images to diagnose lung cancer. They may also do tests to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as thoracentesis or a tissue biopsy.
Effects
A smoker’s lungs are affected by the chemicals in tobacco smoke. These chemicals can damage the lungs, leading to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and emphysema.
Smoking also causes other health problems, such as age-related macular degeneration, which damages the retina and causes blindness in older adults. And it’s also linked to other diseases like liver and colorectal cancers.
The effects of cigarette smoking are so widespread, that they can affect the entire body. For example, a woman’s smaller lungs are more sensitive to the toxic chemicals in smoke than men’s larger lungs.[16]
For this reason, smokers should talk to their healthcare provider about their smoking habits and be screened for lung cancer. They may want to consider a low-dose CT scan as part of their screening program.
This method of detecting lung cancer has been validated in a national trial called the National Lung Screening Trial. It found that current or former heavy smokers who received a low-dose helical CT instead of a chest X-ray were 20 percent less likely to die from lung cancer.
The sensitivity and clarity of a chest X-ray can help detect tumors, but the images are often unreliable. This is why the National Cancer Institute recommends a low-dose helical CT as a part of lung cancer screening.
Significance
Smokers are a high-risk group for lung cancer. Cigarette and pipe smoking are the most well-known, but other forms of tobacco use increase your risk as well.
Eighty to 90 percent of lung cancers are related to smoking, and secondhand smoke can increase your risk even more. Lung cancer is also caused by many other factors, including radon gas, air pollution, and certain gene mutations.
Symptoms of lung cancer can be difficult to spot, especially in older people, so it’s important to get screened early. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it will be cured.[17]
For people with a history of heavy smoking, the best way to prevent lung cancer is to stop. But quitting smoking may be more difficult than you think.
If you’re a smoker, getting a low-dose CT lung screening can help detect suspicious spots on your lungs that could be cancerous. The scans are safe, quick and painless.
In addition to CT, your pulmonary doctor may recommend other tests to evaluate the extent of your disease and determine if it has spread (metastasized). They include a physical exam and a chest X-ray. Your doctor will also work with other specialists, such as cancer doctors, to coordinate your care and ensure a positive outcome.[18]
Urinalysis in Lung Cancer
Urinalysis is a non-invasive method of assessing a patient’s risk for lung cancer. The urine is examined for any abnormal cells that could point towards tumour growth in the bladder. The urine can also be used to help detect early-stage tumours, which may not be seen by other testing methods, such as ultrasound scan or a CT scan/MRI.[19]
A 66-year-old smoker with a history of smoking one pack per day for 10 years presented with hemoptysis and abdominal pain. Imaging revealed a large pelvic mass on the dome of the bladder extending from the urachus, with pulmonary metastases (Figure 1A). Hematological and histological examinations confirmed urachal adenocarcinoma, which was resected after six cycles of palliative chemotherapy combination 5 fluorouracil and irinotecan. It is important to note that smoking can be a contributing factor to pulmonary cancer and detecting lung cancer earlier by using screening services such as mobile screening trailers can reduce the number of patients dying from this disease. [20]
