What you should know about Lung Nodules
Lung nodules can be a source of anxiety for people who discover them unintentionally; they’re often found by accident on a chest X-ray or CT scan done for some other medical reason. Lung cancer is often the first concern if you just found out that you have a lung nodule; however, 95% of lung nodules are benign, meaning they are not cancerous1.
If you fall into the 5%, early detection by a specialist improves your treatment outcomes making your 5-year survival 10x greater².
What are next steps?
Your lung nodule should be assessed by your doctor or a specialist, such as a Pulmonologist. Certain characteristics of the lung nodule itself indicate the chances that it might be cancerous. Physicians use this information to help assess your risk, which helps to guide the next steps for managing your lung nodule.
What is a Lung Nodule?
A lung nodule or pulmonary nodule is an abnormal growth that forms in the lungs <30 mm.
- There can be one or several nodules.
- Nodules can develop on both lungs, in any spot.
- Lung nodules are common. Up to 1/3 of adults who get chest X-rays or CT scans have them¹.
Who is at risk?
Any person can develop a lung nodule. You may be higher risk due to:
