Utah Hospital Providing Early Screening for Lung Cancer
Utah Hospital Providing Early Screening for Lung Cancer
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is impossible to detect without the proper equipment. It is also a leading cause of lung cancer, and one in three Utah homes tested have returned levels above the actionable levels mandated by the federal government. Due to this, Intermountain Medical Center in Utah is working on developing better methods of screening for lung cancer.
Through a national screening study, Intermountain Medical Center tested the use of CT scans for early detection, as opposed to X-rays. According to Intermountain Medical Center Pulmonologist Dr. Denitza Blagev, cancerous nodules in the lungs are much easier to detect with CT scans than X-rays.
The hospital has found that patients who were screened annually through CT scans instead of just an X-ray, had up to 20% lower risk of dying from lung cancer. For those people whose homes have been found to have high levels of radon, this testing information could help detect any cancerous nodules before the problem becomes more severe.
Due to the risks associated with radon, Utah homeowners should consider radon testing. Your local affiliate of the National Radon Defense can give you the information you need to make the best decision for your home and provide you with a high-quality radon mitigation system.
