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    Lung-Cancer-Screening-Guidelines.jpg
    123bodyscan
    24/Feb/2025
    CT ScanLung Cancer0

    Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines in 2025ffgg

    Early detection of lung cancer improves survival rates greatly, and it is one mode of death from cancer in the world; some phrase it as one of the deadliest forms of cancer. So, by 2025, technological advances in screening and new guidelines will make lung cancer detection more accurate and more accessible. It is very important to orientate towards the screening of lung cancer in the initial stages, as it often happens before the symptoms appear. Learn more about the latest CT lung cancer screening guidelines and the best answers to questions on new eligibility criteria, ways recommended screening methods, and how research has made a difference. How do I diagnose lung cancer? Or Should I have a low-dose CT scan to get an early detection of lung cancer? This guide will explain this in detail.

    Who Should Get Screened for Lung Cancer?

    Not everyone should be recommended to have lung cancer screening. The newest version, which was completed in 2025, concentrates on high-risk people according to certain criteria. All health organizations recommend that individuals between ages 50 and 80 are screened annually for those of whom 1) have 20 pack years history of smoking; 2) are current smokers or gave up between 15 years and 1 year ago; 3) have other risk factors such as exposure to asbestos, family history of lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases or other. Recent research supports these guidelines. 2023 The New England Journal of Medicine study showed that expanding screening criteria to include those with a 20-pack-year smoking history decreased (from 30 days), and they rose by 15 percent in the early lung cancer detection rate (Smith et al., 2023).

    What Is the Best Method for Lung Cancer Screening?

    A low-dose CT scan (LDCT) is the preferred way of screening for lung cancer. It uses very little radiation yet gives a detailed picture of the lungs so that doctors can detect small nodules or abnormalities suggesting cancer. LDCT is highly effective. The National Cancer Institute (2022) showed that LDCT reduced lung cancer mortality by 20% compared to chest X-rays. High-risk individuals have a safer and more convenient option in this noninvasive scan, which takes only a few minutes without using contrast dye.

    How to Diagnose Lung Cancer After a Screening?

    A low-dose CT scan is used to create an image of the inside of the body if lung cancer is suspected, and if the body is found to be abnormal, this requires further diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of lung cancer. Typically, during the diagnostic process, the nodule is followed by follow-up imaging, meaning that another LDCT scan may be taken within the next few months to check changes in the size and shape of the nodule. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is used to see if a lung nodule is cancerous by monitoring metabolic activity. Biopsies (removal of a small tissue sample) are performed by bronchoscopy or CT-guided needle biopsy in the case of suspicious growths. Advanced genetic testing of the tumor sample allows the determination of the type and potential targeted therapies of the cancer. A 2024 study in JAMA Oncology states that molecular diagnostics in the form of lung cancer detection enable targeted therapies and outcome improvements in patients (Johnson et al., 2024).

    What Are the Risks and Benefits of Lung Cancer Screening?

    In a limited study of doctors who advised patients to have low-dose CT screening, all the doctors reduced the risks, but none could properly explain screening to their patients.

    • Pros
      Three out of 1,000 high-risk individuals who were examined yearly for three years and monitored for five years were spared from lung cancer death in the National Lung Screening Trial. The duration of this advantage is unknown. In addition to having greater risk factors and pack-years of smoking, those who are most likely to benefit also typically die from other reasons earlier than healthier ex-smokers.
    • Cons

      False positives. About 250 out of 1,000 high-risk individuals who are screened and do not have cancer will be informed that their low-dose CT scans reveal an anomaly that could be cancer, according to the National Lung Screening Trial.14 According to preliminary statistics from low-dose CT use in the community, the false-positive rate could be substantially greater.15. False-positive results can raise medical expenses, result in needless additional testing, and damage and worry patients. False-positive results account for 95% of aberrant low-dose CT results.

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    Conclusion

    The early warning signs of lung cancer, if recognized, will increase your chances of early disease diagnosis and success of treatment. However, with these symptoms, a CT scan to rule out or diagnose lung cancer in the early stages is an essential step. The advanced imaging solutions provided by ViaScan include precise CT scans that help detect lung abnormalities so the needed medical intervention can be done as early as possible. Act now to save your life by early detection.

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    Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease-and-ICD-10.jpg
    123bodyscan
    17/Feb/2025
    Lung Scan0

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and ICD 10ffgg

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease occurring in millions of people globally. Persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation are due to airway and alveolar abnormality. Normally, long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases is associated with COPD and usually to cigarette smoke. Medical coders, as well as healthcare providers, face the constant need to assign specific diagnostic COPD codes to maintain correct documentation and submission. This blog will give an insight into the significance of the ICD 10 coding system in identifying COPD conditions with an example of a popular ICD 10 code for COPD exacerbation.

    How is COPD a Disease, and why does Accurately Diagnosing it matter?

    COPD is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by two main symptoms: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Breathing difficulties, chronic cough, and frequent respiratory infections accompany these conditions. Accurate diagnosis is very important as it helps in the appropriate treatment of COPD, which can avoid the patient’s readmission and improve their quality of life.

    Lopez-Campos et al. (2016) argued that early diagnosis and intervention in COPD patients can significantly reduce mortality and healthcare costs. Thus, it is important to use the ICD-10 coding system correctly so that healthcare providers can accurately monitor or track the number of COPD patients, improve hospital patient outcomes, and facilitate insurance claims.

    What is the ICD-10 code system, and how is that Applied to COPD?

    The ICD-10 code used to classify and code health conditions is standardized worldwide. The ICD-10-specific codes for the stage and complications of COPD are available to help healthcare professionals be more detailed about the amount and type of the condition.

    For example, the primary ICD-10 code ICD-9 for COPD without complications is J44.9, which refers to unspecified COPD. However, when patients’ symptoms worsen, or patients experience flare-ups, the code is J44.1, which stands for COPD, with acute exacerbation. The right use of the code, such as the ICD 10 code for COPD exacerbation, guarantees adequate care to patients and accurate reimbursement to healthcare facilities.

    When and how is the ICD 10 Code for COPD Exacerbation used?

    An exacerbation is a sudden increase in the severity of symptoms of COPD, such as increased breathlessness, excessive coughing, and wheezing that a doctor often treats. J44.1 is the appropriate ICD-10 code for COPD associated with an acute exacerbation. The absence of this code is critical, as, without it, you do not have met the criteria for routine COPD management; it also avoids hospitalization and emergency care for patients with severe respiratory distress.

    Hurst et al. (2010) reported that COPD exacerbations are responsible for significant disease progression and deaths. Applying the ICD 10 code for COPD exacerbation not only indicates how severe the patient’s predicament is but also helps with making strategic treatment plans and better allocating resources in health facilities.

    How Accurate ICD-10 Coding Benefits COPD?

    ICD-10 coding is important and benefits patients and healthcare providers. These benefits include timely and appropriate care during exacerbations and accurate reporting of health data, which is crucial for public health research and resource planning.

    Healthcare systems can track patterns in COPD exacerbations to enable better preventive strategies or fewer hospitalizations. Using the suitable ICD 10 code for COPD exacerbation guarantees healthcare experts legitimate recompense for their contributions, enabling them to succeed in attending to this.

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    Conclusion

    COPD is a very serious health condition that requires a correct diagnosis and proper medical coding to manage. During exacerbations, it is important that patients get the needed care, and the ICD 10 coding system helps a great deal. The research results underline the role of early intervention and adequate documentation in minimizing the complications of COPD.

    ViaScan offers comprehensive diagnostic lung health screening and imaging solutions for those who need advanced diagnostic screening and services to help detect and monitor respiratory conditions such as COPD. You can trust ViaScan for accurate, professional health assessments that meet your needs.

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    4-symptoms-of-lung-cancer-that-you-should-be-aware-of.jpg
    123bodyscan
    10/Feb/2025
    CT ScanLung Scan0

    4 symptoms of lung cancer that you should be aware offfgg

    Lung cancer ranks among the top cancer-causing deaths worldwide and is usually discovered only at an advanced stage. Detection at an early stage will improve survival rates, but such signs are often overlooked. Many of these symptoms should be recognized, and people should seek immediate medical evaluation, including a CT scan where possible, to make a big difference in outcomes.

    Is a Persistent Cough a Painless Sign of Lung Cancer?

    A persistent cough that haunts you for more than eight weeks is indeed an early indicator of lung cancer. Occasional coughing is not unusual, but a persistent cough that gets worse over time coughs up blood, or turns phlegm-colored should not be ignored. In this study by Rivera et al. (2020), one of the most common symptoms reported by lung cancer patients is persistent coughing, thought to be an external infection or allergies that last. If a cough doesn’t respond to usual treatments, it is a good idea to have a CT scan or, more specifically, a lung scan to find out what is causing it.

    Why Does Shortness of Breath Occur in Lung Cancer Patients?

    Dyspnea occurs when lung tumors block airways or fill fluid in the lungs. Gradually, this symptom may develop, and it may become apparent during physical activity. However, as it progresses, even basic tasks such as climbing the stairs or taking short walks can be very difficult. According to Wang et al. (2021), shortness of breath is commonly linked to reduced lung function resulting from the growth of tumors and, thus, a symptom for early detection. Seeking medical attention and having a lung scan to diagnose lung conditions can help if breathing difficulties persist.

    Is Unexplained Weight Loss Related to Lung Cancer?

    Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of several cancers, including lung cancer. The spread of such cells to other parts of the body, when they create a different metabolism in the body, can cause rapid weight loss with no diet change. In addition to unintended weight loss, patients may have poor appetite or are extremely fatigued. Rivera et al. (2020) note that more than 60% of lung cancer patients at the time of diagnosis suffer considerable weight loss. A CT scan ought to be done if anyone has unexplained significant weight loss (more than 10 percent of body weight) within 6 months.

    What Role Does Chest Pain Play in Lung Cancer Diagnosis?

    Other alarming symptoms include chest pain. Tumor growth in lung cancer patients can cause chest pain if it presses on the chest wall, nerves, or ribs. It can be a persistent pain, or it can be intermittent and gets more painful with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing. Wang et al. (2021) suggest that chest pain stemming from the removal of lung tumors near the pleura (the membrane that surrounds the lungs) is more common. A person’s doctor can seek a CT scan to rule out any problems if they have unexplained chest discomfort, together with other symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness.

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    Conclusion

    The early warning signs of lung cancer (which, as you know, includes persistent cough, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and chest pain), if recognized, will increase your chances of early disease diagnosis and success of treatment. However, with these symptoms, a lung scan to rule out or diagnose lung cancer in the early stages is an essential step. The advanced imaging solutions provided by ViaScan include precise CT scans that help detect lung abnormalities so the needed medical intervention can be done as early as possible. Act now to save your life by early detection.

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    What-are-the-four-signs-and-symptoms-of-a-rib-fracture.jpg
    123bodyscan
    03/Feb/2025
    CT ScanHealthcare0

    What are the four signs and symptoms of a rib fracture?ffgg

    A rib fracture is a painful injury and possibly a serious one caused by direct trauma, severe coughing, or secondary to medical conditions that weaken bone. This part of the body is very important for the protection of vital organs, and damage to this part of the body may greatly limit breathing and movement. Early identification helps to ensure timely treatment without any complications. To explore this blog, we are going to discover four key signs of a broken rib found in medical research and see how a CT scan can be used to confirm the condition.

    How Does Chest Pain Indicate a Rib Fracture?

    Chest pain is one of the most common and immediate signs of a rib fracture. The pain normally deepens with deep breathing, coughing, or movement. This is because the fractured rib may slightly shift, which will irritate the muscles and tissues around them. Rib fractures cause patients to be uncomfortable when lying on the side of the injured rib or when pressure is placed on the affected area, as listed by a study by Livingston et al. (2008). When ignoring persistent ‘chest pain’ should not be overlooked as it may show the presence of a severe injury that needs medical intervention. Usually, a fractured rib heals on its own; however, complications such as lung damage, pneumonia, or even death may occur if left untreated. Ice packs can be applied, pain medications can be prescribed, and medical evaluation is still indicated for the removal of discomfort.

    Why Does Difficulty Breathing Occur?

    In such cases, pain and inflammation surrounding the rib cage may make breathing difficult due to a fractured rib. When a rib is broken, Deep breaths are avoided naturally as the body tries to reduce discomfort. However, shallow breathing can cause pneumonia because expanded lungs are not being used adequately (Bulger et al., 2010). Seek medical help if breathing becomes too labored to the extent of pain. A CT scan may be suggested to see how bad the injury is and to rule out if any internal organs have been damaged. In severe cases, oxygen support or respiratory therapy is required to sustain the proper function of the lungs. Patients are often told to do controlled breathing exercises to combat lung infections and look after recovery.

    Is Bruising and Swollen a Sign of a Fracture?

    Additional rib fracture indicator symptoms include bruising and swelling over the injured rib cage area. Blood vessels around the broken rib are damaged, and when this happens, there will be localized discoloration and inflammation. In addition, chest pain may be further restricted by the presence of swelling. A doctor often uses a CT scan to distinguish between a rib fracture and another injury like muscle strain or contusions. This bruising may take a few days to develop fully, and the soreness around the area may last for weeks. They suggest the use of compression bandages or supportive wrapping to decrease movement and decrease pain. However, one should not try to tighten too much, as stretching your skin can cause more restrictions on breathing.

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    Why Do Some People Experience a Cracking Sensation?

    Others with a fractured rib tell there’s a cracking or grinding sensation over where it’s injured. This symptom (crepitus) occurs from the broken ends of the rib rubbing against each other. A break doesn’t always happen with this; however, it is a strong indication. More intensive medical care is required if a case involves multiple fractures or displaced ribs, as postulated by Bulger et al. (2010), and this may signal such sensations. The severity can be confirmed with a CT scan, and appropriate treatment can be chosen. If a patient feels crepitus, great caution should be taken not to move as much as possible and seek immediate medical attention to prevent further injury. Very severely displaced ribs may require surgery to stabilize them.

    Conclusion

    It is important to recognize the signs of rib fracture to avail timely medical attention. Persistent ‘chest pain,’ trouble breathing, visible bruising, and swelling of the rib cage should never be ignored, all of which can accompany the danger signals experienced previously by the patient. A CT scan is very useful in confirming the diagnosis and treatment. Seeking medical attention if you suspect a rib fracture is important to prevent complications. That’s why ViaScan offers highly advanced imaging services to diagnose rib fractures and other injuries effectively. Early detection can make a big difference in recovering and feeling overall well. Improving the chances of a full and smooth recovery from rib fractures can occur if symptoms are addressed promptly and appropriate medical advice is followed.

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