Lung screening

The goal of LDCT lung screening is to save lives. Without LDCT lung screening, lung cancer is usually not found until a person develops symptoms. At that time, the cancer is much harder to treat.

LDCT lung screening is recommended for people who are at high risk for lung cancer. Those who have symptoms of a lung condition at the time of screening, such as a new cough or shortness of breath, are not eligible. It is intended for people aged 55–77 who have smoked at least an average of 1 pack a day for 30 years, including people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

The main risk is radiation exposure. LDCT lung screening uses radiation to create images of your lung, and radiation can increase a person's risk of cancer. By using special techniques, the amount of radiation in LDCT lung screening is small — about the same amount a person would receive from a screening mammogram. Your doctor has determined that the benefits of the screening outweigh the risks of being exposed to this small amount of radiation.

About 1 out of 4 LDCT lung screening exams will find something in the lung that may require additional imaging or evaluation. Most of the time these findings are lung nodules — very small collections of tissue that are very common, and more than 97% of which are not cancer. Most are normal lymph nodes or small areas of scarring from past infections. If a small lung nodule is found to be cancer, the cancer can be cured more than 90% of the time. To distinguish benign nodules from the few that are cancer, we may need more images before your next yearly screening exam. If a nodule has suspicious features, we will refer you to a specialist for further testing.

Yes. Your healthcare provider who ordered your test will receive a copy of your results.

You should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss this test and determine if you qualify.

Certain symptoms can be a sign that you have a condition in your lungs that should be evaluated and treated by your healthcare provider. These symptoms include fever, chest pain, a new or changing cough, shortness of breath that you have never felt before, coughing up blood, or unexplained weight loss. Having any of these symptoms can greatly affect the results of lung screening and may actually delay the treatment you might need.

It depends. In some cases, LDCT lung screening will not be appropriate — such as when your doctor is already following your cancer with CT scan studies. Your doctor will help determine if LDCT lung screening is right for you.

Yes. If you are in one of the high-risk groups described above, an LDCT lung screening exam is recommended every year until you are 77.

Studies have shown that LDCT lung screening can lower the risk of death from lung cancer by 20% in people who are at high risk.

LDCT lung screening is one of the easiest screening exams you can have. The exam takes less than 10 seconds. No medications are given and no needles are used. You can eat before and after the exam, and you do not even need to change as long as the clothing on your chest does not contain metal. You must, however, be able to hold your breath for at least 6 seconds while the chest scan is being taken.

This test, as well as any additional testing you may need based on the results, will be billed to your insurance. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of these additional tests. If you do not have insurance, you will need to cover the cost of any additional testing. Our Billing Department can help you understand your payment options.

You will receive the results of your exam within 2 weeks. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks, please be sure to call your healthcare provider.

The best way to prevent lung cancer is to stop smoking. For help on quitting, please speak to your healthcare provider. If you have already quit smoking, congratulations and keep it up!