Lung Cancer Screening Program

Do you smoke, or have you smoked in the past?

You might be eligible.

Lung cancer screening may be right for you.

What is lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer screening involves a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan to look for early signs of lung cancer. The scan is painless and takes just a few minutes. It uses low-dose radiation to help doctors look for any nodules in your lungs. Not all nodules are cancer, but all cancers start as nodules – that’s why the low-dose CT is useful.

This is meant for people without symptoms so that we can catch lung cancer early in its course. The low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening is free, covered by Medicare and most other insurance plans.

Why is it important?

Early in the course of lung cancer, it has no symptoms. Oftentimes, patients with lung cancer are diagnosed very late in the course, already at advanced stages. Late-stage lung cancer is more difficult to treat and has a high chance of mortality.

The best time to treat lung cancer is when nodules are found early. Early-stage lung cancer is not hard to treat, and most people get better and back to their normal lives.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible for the screening program if you meet the following criteria:

•   Age 50-80
•   Current or former smoker with at least 20 pack-year history of smoking

A pack-year smoking history is the number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years smoked.

[___] number of years smoked x [___] average number of packs smoked per day = [___] pack-years

What else should I know about GRMC lung nodule screening program?

•  Follow up: After your initial low-dose CT scan, you will discuss the results with your PCP or be referred to GRMC Pulmonary Lung Nodule clinic to discuss your results.
•  Additional testing may be necessary: Many people with a smoking history have lung nodules that can be seen on a low-dose CT scan. Your doctor may want to take another look or may suggest further testing. It doesn’t always mean you have lung cancer.
•  Radiation exposure: low-dose CT exposes people to a small amount of radiation. It is less than the dose from a standard CT. Experts agree the benefits of screening greatly outweigh the very small risk of radiation exposure over many years.
•  If you choose to enroll in the screening program, it is important to return each year for annual screening.

To learn more, please call 671-645-5500 ext. 4890. Or, submit the form on this page.

Talk to your primary care doctor about lung cancer screening today.

Dr. Klaus Meinhof
Pulmonologist/Intensivist