Get CT Lung Cancer Screening

In recent years, a test known as a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan has been studied in people at higher risk of getting lung cancer (mainly because they smoke or used to smoke). LDCT scans can help find abnormal areas in the lungs that may be cancer.

CT scans cause many false alarms, even in high-risk people. If 100 high-risk smokers get the test, about 40 will show something that can cause concern. But only two or three actually have lung cancer. The false alarms often lead to follow-up tests.

A CT scan is more likely to show lung tumors than routine chest x-rays. It can also show the size, shape, and position of any lung tumors and can help find enlarged lymph nodes that might contain cancer that has spread.

LDCT scans of the chest produce images of high enough quality to detect many abnormalities while using up to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan. Studies prove that lung cancer screening with LDCT reduces the number of deaths from lung cancer in patients at high risk.

The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Recommends annual low-dose CT scan screening for high-risk individuals (age 50 years or greater with ≥20 pack-year history of smoking). Screening is not recommended for individuals with functional status or comorbidity that would prohibit curative-intent therapy.

Patients must meet the following eligibility requirements: Age 50 – 77 years; Asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer); Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack-year = smoking one pack per day for one year; 1 pack = 20 cigarettes);

Patients must meet the following eligibility requirements: Age 50 – 77 years; Asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer); Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack-year = smoking one pack per day for one year; 1 pack = 20 cigarettes);