Lung Screening Packages

Lung screening, or early lung cancer screening, is a health check that looks for early signs of lung cancer before any symptoms appear. The aim is to find problems early, when treatment is most effective and the chances of a cure are higher. Unlike tests done after symptoms start, lung screening is meant for people at higher risk — such as long-term smokers or those exposed to harmful substances at work or in the environment.

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. In Singapore, it is the second most common cancer among men and the third most common among women. Early lung cancer screening enables the detection and diagnosis of growths at an early stage, offering up to an 80% chance of a cure. 

Finding lung cancer early not only improves survival rates but also gives patients more treatment options. In many cases, those diagnosed at an early stage may be able to undergo minimally invasive surgery, which often means faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker return to normal life.

ICTS Singapore offers three tailored lung screening packages to suit different needs. All screening programmes include a pre-screening consultation with thoracic specialist Dr Aneez D.B. Ahmed, and a specialist-reviewed report and personalised recommendations to guide next steps in your lung health care.

LungCLEAR is a non-invasive blood test designed to detect early signs of lung cancer. It works by identifying a specific molecular signature—distinctive patterns in your blood that could indicate the presence of lung cancer. 

• A small blood sample (approximately 5 mL) is drawn from the patient.
• Advanced laboratory techniques analyze the sample to assess markers associated with lung cancer
• The test generates a risk score, categorising the result as low, intermediate, or high risk for lung cancer. 
• Based on the results, Dr Aneez will review the findings and recommend appropriate next steps. 

Benefits of LungCLEAR

• No radiation exposure
• High detection accuracy: Clinical validation data indicates it can detect up to 83% of Stage 1 lung cancers. 
• Convenient and minimally invasive, making it suitable for routine screening in individuals without symptoms.

Also known as low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), this imaging procedure uses low radiation levels to produce detailed X-ray images of the lungs. LDCT is primarily used for lung cancer screening, allowing for 3D visualisation of lung tissues to detect abnormalities.

The procedure involves the patient lying on a table while the scanner rotates to take multiple images. It is a quick, non-invasive, and painless procedure that only takes a few minutes. This test is typically recommended for individuals with risk factors, such as a history of heavy smoking or a family history of lung cancer.

Lung function tests, also called pulmonary function tests (PFTs), can evaluate how much air you can inhale and exhale, how efficiently oxygen transfers from the lungs to the bloodstream, and how your respiratory system responds to exercise. These tests diagnose and manage respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and interstitial lung disease. These tests usually take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to complete from start to end. 

Common types of lung function tests include:

• Spirometry: Measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled and the speed at which you can empty your lungs.
• Body Plethysmography (Lung Volumes): Assesses the total air capacity in your lungs and the amount of air remaining after exhalation.
• Lung Diffusion Capacity (Gas Diffusion Study): Evaluates how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood.
• Pulse Oximetry: A finger probe measures the oxygen saturation in your blood.

Lung screening is generally recommended for people at higher risk of developing lung cancer, often due to age, smoking history, or other risk factors. Common groups include:

• Age: Adults aged 50–80 who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
• Smoking history: Those with a significant smoking history (e.g., one pack a day for 20 years).
• Family history: Anyone with close relatives who have had lung cancer.
• Environmental exposure: Long-term exposure to substances such as asbestos, radon, air pollution, or certain workplace chemicals.
• Other health conditions: People with a personal history of other cancers or chronic lung diseases, like COPD.
  

In Asia, however,  the picture is different.

Lung cancer is increasingly being found in people who have never smoked — especially women — due to factors like indoor air pollution from cooking fuels, poor outdoor air quality, occupational hazards, and inherited genetic changes. In some Asian countries, up to 30–40% of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers.

Because of this, screening recommendations in Asia may include non-smokers who have additional risk factors, such as a strong family history of lung cancer or long-term exposure to polluted air. A lung specialist can help determine the right screening approach for your personal risk profile.

There are several benefits of lung screening, including: 

• Early detection: Lung screening can spot lung cancer in its early stages, often before symptoms arise, which improves the likelihood of successful treatment.
• Higher survival rates: Early detection of lung cancer significantly increases survival rates for high-risk individuals, as treatments tend to be more effective at earlier stages.
• Treatment options: Finding cancer early provides access to a wider range of treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures.
• Reassurance: Regular screening gives high-risk individuals peace of mind, allowing them to stay informed about their lung health and act promptly if issues are found.

Lung screening is an important diagnostic tool designed to detect lung cancer early. This early detection is especially valuable because it allows for intervention and treatment options which can improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.

Lung screening primarily focuses on identifying:

• Lung cancer: Detecting lung cancer at an early stage, when the tumour is still small and may not have spread, allows for treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to be more effective.
• Benign lung nodules: While not cancerous, these nodules may still require follow-up to ensure they don’t develop into something more serious. 
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Lung screening can reveal signs of COPD, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
• Pulmonary infections: Conditions like pneumonia, tuberculosis, or sarcoidosis may appear on lung screening, allowing for early medical intervention. 

After a lung screening, there are generally three types of results you might receive:

• Negative:
  • This means no abnormalities were found on the scan. A negative result suggests no signs of lung cancer, but your doctor may recommend repeating the screening in a year if you’re still at high risk.
• Positive:
  • A positive result indicates that the scan detected an abnormality in your lungs, such as a nodule or mass. Not all findings are cancerous; many lung nodules are benign (non-cancerous) and may not require immediate intervention.
  • If the finding is suspicious, your doctor may recommend further testing, such as additional imaging, a PET scan, or a biopsy, to determine if the abnormality is cancerous or benign.
• Indeterminate:  Sometimes, the scan may reveal a finding that isn’t benign or cancerous. In these cases, you may need a follow-up scan in a few months to monitor any changes. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend additional tests to clarify the nature of the abnormality.

The next steps will depend on the screening results:

• If no cancer is detected: Regular follow-ups may be recommended based on your risk factors.
• If a nodule is found: Your doctor will assess its size, shape, and other characteristics to determine if it needs monitoring or further testing.
• If cancer is suspected: Your doctor will guide you through additional diagnostic steps and help you discuss treatment options.

The treatment plan for lung cancer depends on various factors, including the stage of the cancer, the specific type of lung cancer, and the treatment approach chosen. Here’s an overview of common treatment modalities and how often they might be administered:

• Surgery:
  • If lung cancer is detected early (typically in Stage I or II), surgery may be an option to remove the tumour. Surgery is often a single procedure, although it may require a few weeks of recovery and post-surgical follow-up appointments.
• Radiation Therapy:
  • Radiation treatments are typically given over a period of several weeks. For early-stage lung cancer, radiation might be administered daily, five days a week, for about 3–7 weeks.
  • For more advanced cancers, radiation can be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy, and the schedule may vary based on individual cases.
• Chemotherapy:
  • Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, with each cycle lasting about 3–4 weeks. Patients often receive chemotherapy once a week or every few weeks, with a period of rest between cycles to allow the body to recover.
  • The total number of cycles varies depending on the stage and type of lung cancer, ranging from 4 to 6 cycles on average.
• Targeted Therapy:
  • Targeted therapies are often taken in pill form and can sometimes be administered daily or on a specific schedule based on the medication. These treatments are typically ongoing, continuing as long as they are effective and well-tolerated by the patient.
• Immunotherapy:
  • Immunotherapy is often given through an intravenous (IV) infusion every two to four weeks. Treatment duration varies and may last months or even years, depending on how well the cancer responds and how the patient tolerates the therapy.

The overall treatment plan is highly personalised. Your surgeon/ oncology team will design a schedule tailored to your cancer's specific characteristics and overall health.

Dr Aneez Ahmed is the leading thoracic surgeon at ICTS Singapore, specialising in minimally invasive lung and thoracic surgeries with over two decades of experience. Known for his patient-centred approach, Dr Aneez offers comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s unique needs, focusing on early detection and effective treatments. His experience spans complex procedures and lung cancer treatments, making him a trusted choice for those seeking high-quality thoracic care.