Health & Science

For many Houston-area families, cancer is a diagnosis that has touched the life of someone they love. During November's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is encouraging residents to pay closer attention to a disease that often develops quietly, sometimes without noticeable symptoms until it has reached a more advanced stage.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but screening offers an opportunity to detect the disease earlier, when treatment may be more effective. For adults with a history of smoking, understanding who qualifies for lung cancer screening and what happens during the appointment could make an important difference.

The message from Harris County Public Health is particularly relevant across Houston and Harris County, where families may be navigating questions about their own health, caring for aging parents or encouraging loved ones to take preventive steps they have been putting off.

Lung Cancer in Texas: Why Early Detection Matters

The numbers help explain why public health officials continue to emphasize lung cancer awareness.

According to figures shared by Harris County Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 228,058 new lung cancer cases nationwide in 2023 and 128,663 deaths in 2024.

In Texas, an estimated 16,272 people were expected to receive a lung cancer diagnosis in 2024, with approximately 10,512 deaths projected that year, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Those figures represent thousands of individuals and families facing difficult diagnoses, treatment decisions and uncertainty about what comes next.

Lung cancer can be especially challenging because symptoms may not appear during its early stages. When symptoms do develop, they can include a persistent or worsening cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss and unusual fatigue.

Because some of these symptoms can resemble other respiratory conditions, recognizing a potential problem is not always straightforward. Anyone experiencing concerning or persistent symptoms should speak with a healthcare provider rather than waiting for a routine screening appointment.

Who Should Get Screened for Lung Cancer?

One of the most important points Harris County Public Health wants residents to understand is that lung cancer screening is recommended for certain adults who have an elevated risk of developing the disease.

The CDC recommends annual screening using a low-dose computed tomography scan, commonly called a low-dose CT or LDCT scan, for adults who meet all three of the following criteria:

• Are between 50 and 80 years old.

• Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years.

• Currently smoke or quit smoking within the past 15 years.

A pack-year measures how much a person has smoked over time. For example, someone who smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years has a 20 pack-year history. Someone who smoked two packs per day for 10 years also has a 20 pack-year history.

These recommendations apply to people who currently smoke as well as qualifying former smokers. Quitting smoking is an important step toward improving long-term health, but it does not immediately eliminate the risk associated with previous tobacco exposure.

Residents who believe they may qualify should discuss screening with their healthcare provider, who can review their smoking history, overall health and whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

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What Happens During a Lung Cancer Screening? Here's What Patients Can Expect

For someone who has never undergone a lung cancer screening, the idea of a medical scan may sound intimidating. Fortunately, the procedure itself is relatively simple.

According to the American Cancer Society, a low-dose CT scan is painless, requires no injections or contrast dye and takes only a few minutes. The entire appointment, including preparation, may take approximately 30 minutes.

Before the scan, patients may be asked to remove jewelry or clothing containing metal and change into a hospital gown.

During the procedure, the patient lies on a narrow table that moves through the center of a large, doughnut-shaped CT scanner. The machine uses a small amount of radiation to capture detailed images of the lungs.

A technician may ask the patient to remain still and briefly hold their breath while the images are taken. The technician can monitor and communicate with the patient throughout the process.

Once the scan is complete, patients can typically return to their normal activities immediately.

A radiologist reviews the images and sends the findings to the healthcare provider, who discusses the results and whether additional testing or future screening is necessary.

An abnormal result does not automatically mean cancer is present. Sometimes scans reveal small spots, called lung nodules, that are not cancerous. Depending on their appearance, doctors may recommend another CT scan or additional testing.

Screening also carries potential risks, including false-positive findings, unnecessary follow-up procedures and exposure to a small amount of radiation. That is why healthcare providers help patients weigh the benefits and risks before scheduling the test.

For eligible Houston-area residents who have been postponing the conversation, understanding how straightforward the screening process can be may help make that first appointment feel more manageable.

Smoking Is the Leading Risk Factor, but Nonsmokers Can Develop Lung Cancer Too

Although smoking remains the strongest risk factor for lung cancer, Harris County Public Health emphasizes that the disease is not limited to people who smoke.

Cigarette smoking is linked to approximately 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. Other recognized risk factors include secondhand smoke, radon exposure, asbestos, certain workplace exposures and air pollution.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can enter buildings through openings in foundations and accumulate indoors. Because it cannot be seen or smelled, testing is the only way to determine whether elevated levels are present.

Workplace exposures can also contribute to lung cancer risk, particularly in occupations involving certain industrial chemicals, dusts and other hazardous materials.

Lung cancer does not affect every population equally. Texas DSHS data from 2017 through 2021 found that non-Hispanic Black men had the highest lung cancer incidence rate among the racial and ethnic groups examined in the state's report.

These differences reinforce the importance of accessible health education, preventive care and conversations about individual risk factors.

For residents who have never smoked but are concerned about environmental exposures or family health history, a healthcare provider can help evaluate those concerns. Routine LDCT screening is not generally recommended for people who do not meet established eligibility criteria, but symptoms or other medical concerns may warrant a separate evaluation.

Harris County Public Health Offers Free Tobacco and Asthma Education

Beyond encouraging lung cancer screening, Harris County Public Health is working with community organizations and public health partners to help residents better understand respiratory health and ways to reduce their risks.

Through its Tobacco and Asthma Control Program, HCPH offers free educational sessions for schools, community centers and businesses throughout the area.

Sessions are available in person or virtually, creating opportunities for local organizations to bring respiratory health education directly to the people they serve.

For schools, that could mean helping students better understand the health effects of tobacco exposure. For workplaces and community groups, the program offers an opportunity to discuss smoking prevention, asthma and other issues affecting lung health.

Organizations interested in learning more about the program can contact Harris County Public Health at tc@phs.hctx.net. 

Free Smoking Cessation Support Available to Texas Residents

For individuals who currently smoke, quitting remains one of the most important steps they can take to reduce their risk of lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases.

Stopping tobacco use can be difficult, particularly for people who have smoked for many years. However, free assistance is available, and residents do not have to navigate the process alone.

The Texas Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential smoking cessation support to residents who want help quitting.

Residents can also speak with their primary care providers about smoking cessation programs, counseling and medications that may improve their chances of quitting successfully.

Importantly, quitting smoking and getting screened are not interchangeable. Former smokers who meet the screening criteria may still benefit from annual low-dose CT scans.

How Houston and Harris County Residents Can Take the Next Step

Lung Cancer Awareness Month offers a timely opportunity for residents to review their health history and consider whether they or someone close to them could benefit from a screening conversation.

For those between ages 50 and 80 with a substantial smoking history, that may mean asking a primary care provider about a low-dose CT scan. For others, it may mean learning more about environmental exposures, seeking help to quit smoking or paying closer attention to persistent respiratory symptoms.

Residents should also check their health insurance benefits before scheduling a screening. Many insurance plans and Medicare cover recommended lung cancer screenings for eligible individuals, although specific requirements and possible costs for follow-up testing can vary.

Additional information about lung cancer symptoms, risk factors and screening recommendations is available through the CDC's Lung Cancer Information resources.

For Houston and Harris County families, the takeaway is simple: a conversation about lung health does not have to wait until something feels wrong. Understanding personal risk, knowing what screening involves and making use of available resources can help residents make informed decisions about their health.

As Lung Cancer Awareness Month continues throughout November, My Neighborhood News will continue sharing public health information, preventive care resources and community updates to help local families stay informed.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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