My husband had a chest x-ray it showed linear s string on left base. he's a heavy smoker. could this be start of cancer or copd? should we ignore it?

Clinical setting: Any finding on an x-ray or scan has to be put in context with the clinical picture. Was this a routine x-ray or was it done to evaluate his coughing? Hopefully that finding is nothing serious but his doc will have to decide to either pursue with further tests or just follow up over time. Frankly, i'd be more concerned about his continued smoking. Quit before the x-ray shows something real bad.

CT chest: I would recommend further testing with a ct scan of the chest and a pulmonary function test. There is no question that he needs to quit smoking since he is at risk of heart attacks and cancers of the lung, throat, lips, tongue, stomach and bladder.