Why More New Zealanders Are Choosing to Check Their Lung Health
Your lungs work hard every day, but their health is often overlooked until something feels wrong. That’s why more New Zealanders are taking a proactive approach to lung health. Chest Scan New Zealand, Astra’s low-dose CT lung screening service, provides a clear view of the lungs and can help identify potential concerns earlier.
Many people are surprised to learn that lung cancer is New Zealand’s biggest cancer killer.
Every year, more New Zealanders die from lung cancer than from breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma combined, according to the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ. More than 1,800 New Zealanders die from lung cancer every year, making it the country’s leading cause of cancer-related death.
Lung cancer is often difficult to detect in its early stages because symptoms may not appear until the disease has progressed. That is why awareness and early investigation can be so important.
Many people assume there is no reason to check their lungs unless they have symptoms.
The challenge is that lung cancer can develop quietly, with symptoms often appearing only after the disease has progressed. That is why early detection has become such an important focus around the world.
A lung health check is not just for people who feel unwell. Many people choose to have their lungs checked because they have a history of smoking, have previously smoked, have other risk factors, or simply want greater peace of mind about their health.
Taking a proactive approach today may help identify potential concerns earlier, when more treatment options may be available.
While smoking remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer, it is important to understand that anyone can develop lung cancer.
In fact, around one in five people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, according to Health New Zealand.
Other risk factors may include:
For many people, checking their lung health simply provides reassurance and peace of mind.
Looking after your lungs is not about fear.
It is about knowledge, reassurance, and making informed decisions about your health.
Whether you have a history of smoking, have never smoked but want greater peace of mind, have known risk factors, or simply want to better understand your lung health, Astra is here to help.
You may be able to self-refer or obtain a referral from your healthcare provider, depending on your circumstances.
If you are unsure whether lung cancer screening is right for you, our team can help guide you through the process and discuss your options.
Chest Scan at Astra Radiology provides lung cancer screening. Chest Scan combines Astra Radiology’s expert radiologists, resources, and technology. Specialising in the early detection of lung cancers and diseases, Astra Radiology’s Chest Scan programme helps ensure early detection and faster treatment outcomes.
At your appointment, our highly trained radiographers will explain the procedure and guide you through the steps. Our specialist radiologists will analyse your scan and report the results to your referring doctor.
If you have a referral for lung screening or are self-referring, our bookings team can arrange an appointment time that suits you and guide you through the next steps.
Why is early lung cancer detection so important?
Lung cancer can be hard to detect in its early stages because symptoms may not appear until the disease has progressed. A low-dose CT scan can find lung changes sooner than a regular X-ray, leading to more treatment choices.
Should I consider lung cancer screening if I do not have symptoms?
Some people with lung cancer have very few or no symptoms at first, so feeling well does not always rule out a problem. Screening may be worth discussing for greater insight into your lung health, especially with risk factors such as a smoking history, family history, previous lung disease, second-hand smoke exposure, workplace or environmental exposures, or increasing age.
Can people who have never smoked get lung cancer?
Yes. While smoking is the leading risk factor, anyone can develop lung cancer. Around one in five people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, which is why lung health awareness matters for both smokers and non-smokers.
What happens during a low-dose CT lung cancer screening scan?
You lie comfortably on the CT table while the scanner takes detailed images of your lungs. The scan itself usually takes less than a minute, is non-invasive, does not require needles or recovery time, and you can return to normal activities immediately afterwards.
Do I need a referral for lung cancer screening at Astra?
You can refer yourself or get a referral from your healthcare provider, depending on your situation. If you are unsure whether screening is appropriate for you, Astra can help guide you through the process and discuss your options.
Astra Radiology
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