Lung Cancer Screenings Explained

What is Lung Cancer Screening?

Lung cancer screening is a regular preventive health check, like a mammogram or a colonoscopy. A lung cancer screening checks your lungs while you are healthy and looks for any changes from year to year.1-3
If your doctor recommends lung cancer screening, it doesn't mean he or she thinks you have cancer. In fact, most people who get screened do not have cancer

Who Should Get Screened for Lung Cancer?

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

Why Screen for Lung Cancer?

• A lung cancer screening may find nothing, or it may find something before you have symptoms
• If a lung cancer screening finds something unusual, it may be able to find it at an early stage
• Survival rates are better when lung cancer is found at an early stage

What Happens During Lung Cancer Screening?

During the screening, an LDCT scan creates a detailed 3-D picture of your lungs. While this scan will expose you to a low dose of radiation, LDCT uses 75% less radiation than a traditional CT scan and shows more detail than a standard chest X-ray. An LDCT scan is the only method recommended for lung cancer screening

- Lauren Zanda, PA