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 GO2 for Lung Cancer, a 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 lung screen). Healthcare providers recommend screening for adults who have no symptoms but are at high risk of developing lung cancer because of age and a history of cigarette 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. Early detection is more responsive to treatment and easier to treat; increasing a patient’s 5-year survival rate by up to 60% compared to patients who are diagnosed in later stages.
Who Should Consider Getting Screened?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends lung cancer screening for people who meet all the following criteria, (also endorsed by Medicare (CMS), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and American College of Radiology (ACR)):
- 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 for commercial insurance or 50-77 years old Medicare insurance
- 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 finds any suspicious images, your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing. Our lung 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 (Low Dose CT scan).
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 without out of pocket costs. Your healthcare team can help check your benefits and eligibility.
We also offer self-pay scans for those without insurance coverage or those who do not meet the above qualifications. Typically, the cost for this out-of-pocket screening is $200.
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.