Advanced Low-Dose Computed Tomography at St. Luke’s
Your doctor may recommend a lung cancer screening if you’re at higher risk for developing lung cancer because of age or a history of smoking. St. Luke’s Lung Cancer Screening Program has been named a Center of Excellence by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force the leading organization dedicated to saving lives and advancing research by empowering those living with and at risk for lung cancer.
Early Detection Can Help People at Higher Risk
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. But early detection can help treatments work better. The only proven screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT or CT scan). Doctors only recommend screening for adults who have no symptoms but are at high risk of developing the disease because of age or a history of smoking. The goal of the low-dose CT lung cancer screening is to detect lung cancer when it is very small and more likely to be curable.
Who Should Consider Getting Screened?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends lung cancer screening for people who meet all the following criteria:
- Have a 20-pack-year or more smoking history (meaning one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, etc.)
- Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years
- Are between 50 and 80 years old
- Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
What to Expect During a Lung Cancer Screening
The actual lung cancer screening is not painful and will only last a few minutes. We recommend you plan to spend about an hour at your appointment. During your screening, the technician will use the CT scanner to take a 3D image of your lungs. Your healthcare team will look for signs of lung cancer in the images the scanner creates. We’ll send you a letter with your results.
If the scan shows that you could have lung cancer, your doctor may recommend additional testing. Our nurse navigators can help you coordinate your care.
If you’re interested in a lung cancer screening, talk to your doctor at your next appointment. We need an order from your doctor for a lung cancer screening.
Screening Risks
The amount of radiation from a typical lung cancer screening test is less than one-third of the amount of radiation that the average U.S. citizen experiences in one year. However, we only recommend lung cancer CT scans for people at higher risk because repeated exposure to radiation can cause cancer in otherwise healthy people.
Screening Cost
Medicare and most insurance plans cover the cost of lung cancer screenings for people who qualify. Your healthcare team can help you check your benefits and eligibility.
Quitting Smoking
Lung cancer screening is not a substitute for quitting smoking. Some people can blame themselves or feel like others blame them for being at risk for cancer. Lung cancer is caused by many factors.
No matter how long you’ve used tobacco, quitting can reduce your risk for lung cancer and other chronic diseases. Be honest with your doctor about your health history. They can share some clinically proven ways to stop smoking, including our smoking cessation resources.