If you have a smoking history, your doctor may have recommended a lung cancer screening, which uses a low-dose CT scan to check for early signs of disease before symptoms appear. Preparing for a lung cancer screening is simple. You do not need to fast, and you should wear comfortable clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or jewelry that could interfere with your images.
In this guide, you’ll learn who should get screened for lung cancer, what happens during your low-dose CT scan and what to expect after screening for lung cancer.
What Is Lung Cancer Screening?
Lung cancer screening is a preventive exam designed to find lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage, often before any symptoms develop. Early detection through screening has been shown to lower lung cancer deaths in high-risk patients. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover annual screening for eligible patients with no out-of-pocket cost.
What Is a Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening?
A low-dose CT lung screening is the specific imaging technology used to screen for lung cancer in people who don’t have symptoms yet. You may hear it be called a low-dose lung CT scan for smokers because it is often recommended for current and former smokers who meet certain screening guidelines. This screening is different from a standard chest CT, which your doctor may order if you already have symptoms such as a lasting cough, chest pain or trouble breathing.
Difference Between a Low-Dose CT and a Standard CT Scan
Low-dose CT lung screening uses about one-fifth the radiation of a standard CT scan, while still producing detailed, cross-sectional pictures of your lungs. Because high-risk patients are screened every year, this lower dose helps limit radiation exposure over time without sacrificing image quality.
The technology is also sensitive enough to detect nodules as small as 2 to 3 millimeters, about the size of a grain of rice, giving your doctor a much clearer picture of your lung health than a standard chest X-ray can provide.
Open CT Scanner Design for Low-Dose Lung Screening
Some patients delay lung cancer screening because they worry about feeling closed in during the exam. The scanner used for low-dose lung CT is open and shaped like a donut rather than a closed, narrow tunnel, so you’re never fully enclosed at any point during your scan.
This open design can help patients who feel anxious in tight spaces, making it easier to stay relaxed for the short time it takes to capture your images.
Who Should Get a Lung Cancer Screening?
Lung cancer screening is recommended for adults aged 50 to 77 who have a significant smoking history. This includes current smokers and those who quit within the past 15 years, with at least 20 pack-years of smoking history.
A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs you smoke each day by the number of years you have smoked. One pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years both add up to 20 pack-years.
You should also have no current signs or symptoms of lung cancer to qualify for this preventive screening. Your doctor may also recommend screening if you have a family history of lung cancer, exposure to radon or asbestos or a chronic lung condition like COPD.
Many smokers qualify for lung cancer screening without realizing it, so talk to your doctor about your risk factors to find out if you’re a candidate.
How Should You Prepare for a Lung Cancer Screening?
Preparing for your lung cancer screening is simple. You don’t have to fast before the scan, so you can eat and drink normally before your appointment. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers or buttons, since metal can interfere with your images.
On the day of your appointment, arrive a few minutes early to complete paperwork. Bring your insurance card and a photo ID, and be ready to remove jewelry, glasses or other metal objects. Let your imaging team know if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
What Happens During a Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening?
During your lung screening, you’ll lie on a cushioned table that slides into the open scanner. Your imaging team will ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds while the images are taken. The actual scan takes less than 60 seconds.
You won’t need an IV or contrast dye for the exam. Your technologist will monitor you and communicate with you throughout the process. Most appointments take less than an hour from check-in to completion.
What Happens After a Lung Cancer Screening?
Knowing what to expect after a lung cancer screening can help you feel more prepared. You can resume your normal activities right away, including driving yourself home, eating normally and taking your usual medications.
A board-certified radiologist with subspecialty will review your CT scan and send a report to your doctor. You’ll also receive a patient-friendly report by text 48 hours after your report is finalized, giving you clear answers about your results and helping you and your doctor plan your next step together.
What If Your Lung Cancer Screening Finds a Lung Nodule?
Finding a lung nodule is common after screening for lung cancer. In fact, about 1 in 4 people will have one detected during screening. Most of these nodules turn out to be benign.
After your scan, a radiologist will review the images and assign a Lung-RADS score based on the size and appearance of any nodule. This score tells your doctor whether you will need a follow-up scan, additional imaging or a visit with a specialist.
If your score is category 1 or 2, you’ll likely continue with annual screening. If your score is category 3 or 4, your doctor may ask you to return for a follow-up scan in 6 months or sooner.
Schedule Your Lung Cancer Screening With American Health Imaging
When it’s time to schedule your lung cancer screening, American Health Imaging gives you a trusted, convenient option close to home. Exams are read by board-certified radiologists, and we’re in-network with 99% of all major insurance plans. We also offer savings of up to 60% less than hospital imaging.
With same-day and next-day appointments, extended hours and locations across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas and South Carolina, scheduling fits easily into your routine.
Schedule your low-dose CT lung screening with American Health Imaging today.