Lung Unit

Anti-Tobacco Programme

Pulmonologists

Diagnosis of lung cancer

According to medical experts, lung cancer is an epidemic that affects today’s society, and it can be cured if detected in time.

It is the main cause of death from cancer in men, and the second cause of death in women. The use of a chest CT scan—computerized axial tomography of the chest area—enables the early detection of 85% of lung cancers at a curable stage.

A number of studies have demonstrated that low radiation chest CT scans reduce the number of deaths, as do screening programmes for at risk groups—smokers and ex-smokers. In addition, statistics show that 80% of patients monitored using annual CT scans are still alive ten years after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

HC Marbella recommends a screening programme aimed at preventing lung cancer in smokers over the age of 55, and especially in patients who suffer from a chronic obstructive lung disease (constant cough and phlegm, among other symptoms). “These profiles make up the risk group for this disease, which is why it is recommended that these people visit their doctors regularly to talk about their habits, and they are likely candidates for a low radiation chest CT scan, something which would help us to detect lung cancer at an early stage.”

Our early detection programme for Lung Cancer includes:

▪ Medical interview

▪ The tests carried out in the programme are:

▪ Low radiation chest CT scan: the dose of radiation is significantly less than a normal CT scan and less than the environmental radiation a person is exposed to in a year.

▪ Lung function tests

▪ Depending on the results of the above tests, additional tests may be necessary.

▪ Patient education

▪ ▪ Tobacco addiction: Anti-tobacco programme

▪ ▪ Use of inhalers

The medical team at HC Marbella Hospital works in a multidisciplinary way so that each patient is examined by different specialists, who work closely together to provide the best possible solution.