Lung Cancer Screening
At UnityPoint Health, our cancer teams know the best chance to cure lung cancer is early detection. That’s why we offer lung cancer screening with low-dose computer tomography (LDCT) at many of our locations.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. It’s often diagnosed at an advanced stage, after the cancer has spread.
Common lung cancer symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain and unexplained weight loss. However, symptoms often don’t appear until the disease is more advanced. That’s why screening for lung cancer is so important. Annual low-dose CT (LDCT) screening can detect lung cancer early — when treatment is more effective and survival rates are significantly higher.
What is a Lung Cancer Screening?
A lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan of the chest (LDCT). This fast, non-invasive test uses low-dose X-rays to create detailed, 3D images of your lungs.
- The scan takes 15 seconds or less.
- No special preparation in most cases.
Radiologists review the images for lung nodules (small spots in the lungs). Detecting these nodules early can save lives.
Without LDCT screening, lung cancer is often found only after lung cancer symptoms develop — when it’s harder to treat and less likely to be curable.
Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines
The lung cancer screening U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations advise annual low-dose CT scans for people at high risk.
You may be eligible if you meet the following lung cancer screening guidelines:
- Are 50–80 years old*
- Have no symptoms of lung cancer
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history, such as:
- 1 pack per day for 20 years
- 2 packs per day for 10 years
- ½ pack per day for 40 years
- Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years
A provider order is required for LDCT screening.
*Screening is recommended through age 80. Medicare coverage currently ends at age 77.
Talk with your provider to determine if lung cancer screening is right for you.
Lung Cancer Risk Factors
Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer for men and women. The more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the greater your risk.
Other risk factors include:
- Air pollution
- Asbestos or workplace chemical exposure
- Radiation exposure
- Radon exposure
- Secondhand smoke exposure
If you have risk factors, ask your provider about undergoing a lung cancer screening near you.
Lung CT Scan FAQs
LDCT is one of the simplest imaging exams available.
- The scan itself takes less than two minutes.
- No medications or needles are used.
- You can eat before and after the test.
- You may stay in your clothes if there is no metal present.
You’ll need to hold your breath for about six seconds during the chest scan.
In most cases, no preparation is needed.
You may need to reschedule if you’ve a respiratory infection, as infections can affect scan results.
On the day of your exam:
- Avoid wearing metal
- Remove glasses, jewelry and hearing aids
- You may change into a gown if your clothing contains metal (zippers, snaps, underwire bras)
Studies show low dose CT lung cancer screening reduces lung cancer deaths by 20% in high-risk individuals.
With screening, up to 4 out of 5 lung cancers detected may be curable, because they’re found earlier.
If you qualify, screening is recommended once a year. Annual screening may continue for several years, depending on your risk factors.
About 1 in 4 screenings may show an abnormal finding. However, 96% of those findings are not cancer.
If something abnormal appears, follow-up testing may include:
- Additional imaging
- Short-term repeat CT scan
- Rarely, a needle biopsy
Radiation exposure from LDCT is low — less than six months of natural background radiation.
Some cancers detected may never have caused harm. This is called overdiagnosis, and its exact frequency is unknown.