Breathe Out

Lung cancer screening uses a special kind of x-ray, called a low-dose CT (computerized tomography) scan. Despite the long name, low-dose CT scans are very simple and very quick. When you go to a radiology department or clinic to get your test, you will enter a CT testing room. There is a big circular machine, and a long table to lay down on. The X-ray tech will ask you to lay down on your back, on the table. The table will then move in and out of the machine, taking multiple images of your lungs. The machine will tell you breathing instructions throughout the procedure. The whole test, when done correctly, takes about 3-4 minutes.

While evidence currently only supports specific groups of people to be screened, there are things we can all do to reduce our risk for lung cancer. Often the most impactful thing we can do is to eliminate our exposure to tobacco smoke, both first and second-hand (including tobacco smoke at gay bars!). Quitting at any age significantly lowers your risk of developing lung cancer. If you are uninterested or unable to quit right now, even lowering the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day or the amount of days you smoke each week can lower your risk for developing lung cancer.

Quitting smoking is the most impactful thing you can do to lower your risk. Support your friends and community members if they are working toward quitting tobacco products.

Those that fall within the eligible group have been found to be at higher risk for lung cancer. Lung cancer screenings can help you and your provider to catch lung cancer earlier, or prevent it altogether. Generally, the earlier a cancer is caught, the better your chances are for fighting and defeating the disease!

It’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk of lung cancer and the possibility of lung cancer screening if you believe you are at risk.

You should mention:

1. Past or current health issues
2. Family history of cancer and other diseases
3. Previous jobs and places you’ve lived where you could have had high exposure to cancer causing chemicals
4. Your history with tobacco

LGBTQIA+ folks are more likely to use tobacco products when compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, leading to higher rates of lung cancer in the LGBTQIA+ community. Community members have later diagnoses and worse outcomes due to stress and discrimination, barriers to healthcare, social isolation, homophobia, transphobia, and general medical mistrust.

We in the LGBTQIA+ community are no strangers to doing what is necessary to help protect the health of ourselves, as well as our wider community. Let’s work together to spread the word about the importance and ease of caring for our lungs through quick and simple lung cancer screenings!