Lung Cancer Screening
If you’re at risk of lung cancer but don’t have any symptoms, it’s crucial to get screened. A lung cancer screening can help diagnose you at an earlier stage, giving you access to major treatments that can potentially improve your survival time. See how to easily get screened for lung cancer below.
What Is a Lung Cancer Screening?
Lung cancer screening is a medical test that checks for signs of lung cancer before symptoms appear.
Screening for lung cancer is done using a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. Also called a low-dose CT scan, this imaging test takes detailed pictures of the lungs. It doesn’t hurt and only takes a few minutes.
Your doctors will likely recommend an annual lung cancer screening if you’re aged 50 or older and smoke, or quit within the last 15 years.
Many lung cancer patients have credited early detection screenings with saving their lives, allowing them to get aggressive, curative treatments. Symptoms of lung cancer typically don’t appear until after the tumors have started to spread, making it harder to treat.
Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide to explore how screenings can help you and which treatments can be used to improve your survival after a diagnosis.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Who Needs to Be Screened for Lung Cancer?
Those who are potentially at risk of lung cancer could benefit from a screening. A lung cancer screening allows people to take charge of their health.
According to Mayo Clinic, a lung cancer screening is helpful for:
- Current or former smokers: Screenings are typically recommended for smokers who are between the ages of 50 and 80. Those who smoked heavily but quit within the last 15 years should also get screened.
- Lung cancer survivors: Screenings can help catch recurrence (return following treatment) early on, allowing survivors to adjust their cancer care plans and potentially live longer.
- People who are in otherwise good health: Those with other health problems are less likely to get benefits out of lung cancer screenings.
- Those with a 20 pack-year smoking history: A “pack year” is how many packs of cigarettes someone smoked per day multiplied by the number of years they smoked. If you smoked 1 pack of cigarettes every day for 20 years, or half a pack a day for 40 years, you have a 20 pack-year history.
- Those with other lung cancer risk factors: While tobacco smoke remains the main cause of lung cancer, toxins like asbestos, a family history of cancer, and more can all lead to a higher risk. Screenings for lung cancer are very helpful in these cases.
“I was a heavy smoker at the time, and I was seeing a pulmonologist who insisted that I go get these screenings. About a year into it, they found spots on both my lungs. Without the screenings, I don’t think I’d be alive today.”
— Geraldine, lung cancer survivor
If you’re concerned about the potential risks of lung cancer — even if you aren’t yet showing symptoms — reach out to a specialist to schedule a screening.
Why Get a Screening for Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer screenings offer a simple and effective way to catch this disease at an early stage when it’s easier to treat.
Many lung cancer patients credit screenings as lifesaving, since doctors were able to effectively treat their tumors.
“Simply put, patients whose cancers are caught early often have better outcomes. Lung cancer screenings can be very effective at identifying potentially cancerous abnormalities like lung nodules long before those abnormalities create tell-tale symptoms.”
— Moffitt lung cancer screening program
Getting a lung cancer screening is easy, quick, and safe. Those who get screened have peace of mind if the results are negative — or can quickly start lung cancer treatments if they are diagnosed.
How to Get Screened for Lung Cancer
The lung cancer screening process is fairly simple, and doctors can walk patients through each step before their appointment.
Here are the steps to getting a lung cancer screening:
- Prepare ahead of time: Before undergoing screening for lung cancer, let your doctor know if you have a respiratory tract infection (which can cause issues with the scan) and remove any metal objects you’re wearing (such as glasses, hearing aids, dentures, and jewelry).
- Get the scans: Screenings are performed using a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan. You’ll need to lie down on a table to get the scan done. A machine will take pictures of your lungs. The health care providers performing the scan will be in another room and instruct you through an intercom system.
- Get the results: Once the LDCT scan is complete, you can leave and go home. The images taken during the scan will be compiled and reviewed by a lung cancer doctor.
According to Mayo Clinic, the entire lung cancer screening process takes 30 minutes. The LDCT scan itself is done in under a minute.
Call (877) 446-5767 for help finding and affording key treatments if you were diagnosed after a lung cancer screening test.
Lung Cancer Screening vs. Diagnosis
Lung cancer screening and diagnosis are two different things. A screening test is used to look for signs of cancer before symptoms appear. Diagnostic tests are more in-depth and are typically used among those already experiencing symptoms.
Diagnosis for lung cancer involves several possible tests, like:
- Chest X-ray: This is often the first test and can show masses but can’t confirm cancer.
- CT scans: These are used if an X-ray shows something concerning and allows doctors to get a more detailed picture of the lungs.
- PET-CT scan: This test can show active cancer cells in the body using a small amount of radioactive material.
- Biopsy: Doctors use minor surgeries to remove samples of lung tissue and test them for cancer. This is the only way to determine if you have lung cancer.
You’ll likely need to have some of these diagnostic tests — specifically a biopsy — even if your lung cancer is caught during screening. There’s no way to know for sure if you have lung cancer without a biopsy, and getting this test allows doctors to recommend the best treatments possible.
How Often Should You Be Screened for Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer screening is recommended once a year for those at a high risk. There’s no way to know if or when someone may develop cancer, so annual screenings offer the best chance of detection.
However, request a prompt screening if you develop possible lung cancer symptoms like chest pain, a cough, or shortness of breath. Getting screened can lead to additional testing that can help diagnose you.
Potential Risks of Lung Cancer Screening
While lung cancer screening offers important benefits, it does come with a few risks. Patients can discuss any potential concerns with their lung cancer specialists before getting screened.
Potential lung cancer screening risks include:
- False positives: Being potentially misdiagnosed with lung cancer, which can cause stress and lead to needless treatment.
- Radiation exposure: The LDCT screenings expose you to a small amount of radiation, which can cause cancer. However, since the LDCT only takes less than a minute, the risk of cancer from these scans is incredibly low.
You can discuss concerns about getting lung cancer screenings with your doctor. With that said, it’s usually in your best interest to get a lung cancer screening as the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks.
“My doctor suggested that I should go for my lung cancer screening because cancer runs in my family. I was very, very lucky that I did have that scan done and they caught it early, and it was small, and it could be removed.”
— Kathryn, lung cancer survivor
Where Can You Get a Lung Cancer Screen?
Lung cancer screening is available at many treatment centers across the U.S. Your doctor may give you a referral or you can search for a reputable center on your own.
For the most reliable results, look for hospitals and cancer centers that follow national guidelines and use up-to-date equipment. There should also be a team of trained lung cancer specialists on staff who can quickly and accurately interpret results and coordinate follow-up care.
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now to explore screening, diagnostic, and treatment options.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Steps to Take After a Lung Cancer Screening
Doctors can recommend different steps following a lung cancer screening depending on the results, your overall health, and other factors.
Key steps that could be suggested after a lung cancer screening include:
- Continue annual screenings: Doctors often recommend screenings for the following year if you’re cancer-free but still at risk.
- Get monitored: If a small nodule is found in your lungs, doctors may not suggest immediate treatment. Instead, they may recommend follow-up screenings in a few months to a year. If the nodule has grown, you can start getting treatments.
- Start treatment: Doctors may recommend starting treatment if they find a large lung cancer tumor. Lung cancer treatment options include surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. In some cases, you might also be eligible to join clinical trials exploring new therapies.
- Quit smoking: If you still smoke, doctors will encourage you to quit. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer and causes many other serious health issues.
“It’s important to find lung cancer early because you can actually get a surgical cure. Once that’s resected, removed, you can be cured of your lung cancer.
— Dr. Demir Bastug, lung cancer specialist
A lung cancer screening may also detect other lung-related problems that are not cancer, such as emphysema and stiffening of the arteries, according to Mayo Clinic. In these cases, you’ll be referred to lung specialists who can help treat these issues.
Get a Lung Cancer Screening & Resources Now
A lung cancer screening is a key way to stay on top of your health if you’re a former or current smoker, were exposed to asbestos, or have a family history of cancer. By getting screened, doctors may be able to catch your cancer before it spreads, giving you more treatment options.
At Lung Cancer Group, we’re ready to help patients, caregivers, and families affected by lung cancer in any way we can. If a screening leads to a lung cancer diagnosis, connect with us.
Our team can help you:
- Afford and access top lung cancer treatments
- Explore medical and financial resources
- Find the support you and your family deserve for lung cancer
Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide or call (877) 446-5767 now to get started.
Screening for Lung Cancer FAQs
What is the screening test for lung cancer?
A low-dose CT scan (LDCT) is the standard lung cancer screening test. An LDCT is an easy, quick, and painless procedure, allowing doctors to look inside the chest cavity for potential lung tumors.
If doctors find lung nodules or tumors, they can recommend next steps to diagnose and treat you.
Call (877) 446-5767 now if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer following a screening. We can help with seeking compensation to cover lung cancer treatments and any other expenses.
How often should you get a lung cancer screening?
You should get a lung cancer screening at least once a year if you are at risk. Lung cancer screenings are most commonly recommended for current or former smokers.
However, those exposed to cancer-causing substances like asbestos or who have a family history of lung cancer should also get regular screenings.
Does insurance pay for lung cancer screening?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, often cover annual lung cancer screenings for people who need them. However, every plan is different.
If you’re concerned about paying for lung cancer screens or any other medical bills, you can explore lung cancer compensation options. Lung cancer can be expensive, but financial relief can help you get the care you deserve.
Get a free case review now to find out if you qualify for lung cancer compensation to pay for screenings and other procedures not covered by insurance.
How long can you live with lung cancer without knowing?
It’s possible for lung cancer patients to live for months or even years without knowing. This is because the early symptoms of lung cancer — including a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain — may not appear until the tumors have spread.
For this reason, health professionals often recommend lung cancer screenings for those at risk to catch tumors before they spread.
“Most of the time, lung cancers don’t cause any symptoms until they’ve grown quite large or they’ve metastasized,” said Dr. John Hunsucker, a lung cancer specialist. “By screening to catch cancer early, when it’s in stage 1, you can actually operate on a lot of patients, and that’s curative.”
