Results of a recent Italian research study have shown that CT scanning can help medical professionals diagnose mesothelioma earlier than chest x-rays alone. This is good news for those who have been exposed to asbestos. Early detection of the disease can help to promote a longer lifespan, and regular CT scans conducted on those who know or believe that they were exposed to asbestos could help them live with the disease longer should they be diagnosed with it.
CT scans are typically used to as an early diagnosis method for smokers that are at high risk for developing lung cancer. However, no research has been conducted whether or not early detection of lung cancer in smokers actually promotes the lifespan post-diagnosis. Mesothelioma, on the other hand, has been proved to be more treatable when caught in its early stages. Those who are diagnosed early have gone on to live for nearly a decade with the disease, while those who are diagnosed in its later stages rarely live more than two years.
Dormant mesothelioma tumors can also be detected by CT screening, allowing medical professionals to keep an eye on individuals who have the potential to develop malignant mesothelioma. It is of the utmost importance that individuals who have been exposed to asbestos visit their doctor for regular checkups for this reason. Additionally, recent evidence has shown that mesothelioma can be contracted through indirect exposure to asbestos, meaning that the wives and families of men who worked with asbestos materials should also be checked regularly.
Smokers who have been exposed to asbestos should been extremely adamant about getting checked for the disease regularly. Research has shown that smoking increases the risk for developing mesothelioma, and CT screening is not as effective in finding evidence of the disease in individuals who smoke regularly. In non-smoking individuals, the CT scan was able to diagnose nine different levels of lung damage caused my asbestos exposure.
These authors concluded that initial CT screening was of benefit in this high-risk population with relatively low rates of smoking prevalence.
