How AI and new tech are fighting the tri-state's deadliest cancer
The Turn To Tara team went to check out the latest technology and AI tools, which are changing the way doctors screen for lung cancer.
More Stories
Lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, killing more people than breast, colorectal and cervical cancers combined.
Yet, a New York doctor says screening rates are still far too low across the tri-state area.
"Only about 20% are getting screened of the people who are eligible," says Dr. John Melnick, of Lenox Hill Radiology.
Doctors say the lung scan - which takes less than a minute - can mean the difference between life and death.
The Turn To Tara team went to check out the latest technology and AI tools, which are changing the way doctors screen for the deadliest cancer in the U.S.
News 12 senior reporter Tara Rosenblum even climbed atop a table at Lenox Hill Radiology to see how a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT, works firsthand.
Doctors say that the technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, making it possible to spot tiny lung nodules earlier than ever before.
Radiologists can closely watch for the earliest signs of trouble while the machine is running.
Local imaging centers, like the RadNet imaging network, are also trying to expand access through a $165 self-pay screening program aimed at people who may not qualify through insurance. This includes firefighters, veterans or those exposed to secondhand smoke.
Melnick says artificial intelligence also is changing the game.
"When computers are there to assist, they basically bring your eyes to the areas that are potentially suspicious," he says.
The goal is to catch cancer before symptoms ever appear, when treatment is most effective.
Doctors say that for those who have a history of smoking or long-term exposure to toxins, it's worth asking your doctor whether you should be screened.
