Low-dose CT lung cancer screening is a quick, painless imaging test that uses minimal radiation to create detailed pictures of your lungs, helping detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
Low-dose CT lung cancer screening is ideal for:
• Adults aged 50–80 with a significant smoking history
• Current smokers or those who quit within the past 15 years
• Annual monitoring for high-risk individuals
• Early detection before symptoms appear
• Peace of mind for those at elevated lung cancer risk
Your doctor ordered a low-dose CT lung screening because you meet the criteria for individuals at high-risk of developing lung cancer based on your age and smoking history.
Common reasons for ordering an LDCT screening:
• Significant smoking history (at least 20 pack-years)
• Current smoker
• Former smoker who quit within the past 15 years
• Age eligibility (50–80 years old)
• Preventive care—early detection saves lives
What is the benefit of a low-dose CT lung cancer screening?
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Early detection through screening can find cancer when it is small, localized, and most treatable, often before symptoms appear.
Yes, you need a referral (also called a doctor’s order) to get low-dose CT lung cancer screening.
What your doctor’s referral does:
• Documents your smoking history and eligibility criteria
• Is required for insurance coverage, including Medicare
• Ensures screening is appropriate for your situation
• Allows for proper follow-up if abnormalities are found
Once your doctor sends the order to American Health Imaging, we’ll contact you to schedule your appointment and verify your insurance coverage.
Schedule your screening:
https://americanhealthimaging.com/request-appointment/
Scheduling a same-day low-dose CT lung screening at American Health Imaging is easy and convenient.
Flexible same-day scheduling options:
• Call us or request an appointment online
• Same-day and next-day appointments available
• Extended and weekend hours at many locations
• No special preparation or fasting required
Once your referral is received, we can often schedule your scan quickly at one of our convenient locations across Alabama, Georgia, Tallahassee, FL, Beaumont, TX, San Antonio, TX, and South Carolina.
Schedule your screening:
https://americanhealthimaging.com/request-appointment/
American Health Imaging offers low-dose CT lung screening at convenient locations across five states.
Low-dose CT lung cancer screenings are available at imaging centers in:
• Alabama
• Georgia
• Tallahassee, FL
• Beaumont, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• South Carolina
All locations offer same-day and next-day appointments.
View all imaging centers:
https://americanhealthimaging.com/location/
Low-dose CT lung screening is recommended for adults at high risk of lung cancer based on age and smoking history.
You should get screened if you meet all of these criteria:
• Age 50–80 years old
• At least 20 pack-years of smoking history
• Current smoker or quit within the past 15 years
• You’ve been exposed to hazardous substances like asbestos
• Healthy enough to undergo treatment if cancer is found
Additional risk factors that support screening:
• Family history of lung cancer
• Exposure to radon, asbestos, or other carcinogens
• Chronic lung conditions such as COPD or emphysema
• Secondhand smoke exposure
Preparing for low-dose CT lung screening is simple and requires very little preparation.
Before your appointment:
• No fasting required—eat and drink normally
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers or buttons
• Bring your insurance card and photo ID
• Inform us if you are pregnant or might be pregnant
Day of your appointment:
• Arrive on time to complete paperwork
• You may be asked to change into a gown
• Remove jewelry, glasses, and metal objects from your chest area
• Be prepared to hold your breath for a few seconds during scanning
No contrast dye is typically needed unless specifically ordered by your doctor.
During your low-dose CT lung cancer screening, you’ll lie comfortably on your back while a specialized scanner captures detailed images of your lungs in less than 60 seconds.
What happens during your scan:
• Check-in and preparation (10–15 minutes)
• Change into a gown and remove metal objects
• Lie on a cushioned exam table
• Hold your breath briefly while images are taken
• Table slides into an open, donut-shaped scanner
• Technologist monitors and communicates with you
Total appointment time is usually 15–30 minutes.
After your low-dose CT lung screening, you can resume all normal activities immediately.
Immediately after your scan:
• Resume eating and drinking normally
• Take medications as prescribed
• Drive yourself home
• Return to work, exercise, and daily activities
• No side effects or recovery time
Your doctor typically receives results within a few hours after the report is finalized.
You will receive:
• A text message with a link to your Scanslated® patient-friendly report within 48 hours
All scans are reviewed by board-certified radiologists with subspecialty training in thoracic imaging.
Low-dose CT is highly effective at detecting early-stage lung cancer and is far more sensitive than chest X-rays.
What makes a low-dose CT lung cancer screening so accurate?
• Detects nodules as small as 2–3 mm
• Finds lung cancer when it is small and before it spreads
• Much more sensitive than chest X-rays
A low-dose CT lung screening typically takes 15–30 minutes total.
Why it’s so quick:
• Rapid low-dose scanning technology
• No contrast dye or IV placement
• No fasting or special preparation
• Images captured in a single breath-hold
You can return to normal activities immediately after your screening.
The cost of low-dose CT lung screening varies depending on insurance coverage and eligibility.
American Health Imaging makes medical imaging affordable:
• In-network with 99% of insurance plans
• Verifies coverage and eligibility
• Obtains prior authorization if needed
• Provides cost estimates before your appointment
• Offers transparent pricing for self-pay patients
We can save you up to 60% compared to hospital-based imaging.
Yes, most insurance plans cover annual low-dose CT lung screening with no out-of-pocket costs for eligible individuals.
Coverage generally requires:
• Age 50–80
• At least 20 pack-years of smoking history
• Current smoker or quit within the past 15 years
• Doctor’s referral documenting eligibility
• Counseling visit discussing benefits and risks (may be required)
We verify coverage and handle any required pre-authorization steps with your insurance.
Finding something on a lung CT scan can feel frightening, but most findings are not cancer.
About 1 in 4 LDCT screenings find a lung nodule, a small area of tissue in the lung. More than 97% of lung nodules found on screening are benign (not cancerous). Most are the result of past lung infections or scar tissue. When a nodule is found, your AHI radiologist will classify it using Lung-RADS, a standardized reporting system, and provide specific recommendations for follow-up. Most nodules simply require a repeat LDCT in 3–12 months to monitor for any changes.
If a nodule appears suspicious, your doctor will discuss the next steps, which may include a follow-up CT scan, or, in rare cases, a biopsy. Early detection, even of a suspicious nodule, means earlier intervention and better outcomes. That’s exactly why annual screening exists.
Your care team will guide you through the next steps and answer any questions.
While smoking is responsible for approximately 80–90% of lung cancers, 10–20% occur in people who have never smoked. If you have any of the following risk factors, speak with your doctor about whether lung cancer screening may be appropriate for your situation:
Radon gas exposure: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in homes and buildings. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among non-smokers. Have your home tested.
Asbestos or occupational exposures: Construction workers, shipbuilders, miners, and others with prolonged exposure to asbestos, arsenic, or diesel exhaust face elevated lung cancer risk.
Secondhand smoke: Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with a 20–30% increased risk of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Family history: A first-degree relative (parent, sibling) with lung cancer may increase your risk, particularly if they were diagnosed at a younger age.
A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the average number of packs you smoked per day by the number of years you smoked.
Example: Smoked 1 pack per day for 20 years = 20 pack-years
Example: Smoked 2 packs per day for 10 years = 20 pack-years
Example: Smoked half a pack per day for 40 years = 20 pack-years
You may qualify for annual LDCT lung cancer screening if all three of the following apply to you:
Age: You are between 50 and 80 years old
Smoking history: You have at least 20 pack-years of smoking history
Smoking status: You currently smoke, or you quit within the past 15 years
You should NOT have any current signs or symptoms of lung cancer. If you have symptoms such as a persistent cough, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, or shortness of breath, speak with your doctor as these require diagnostic evaluation, not just screening.
