This test is fast and painless. A low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan of the lungs takes about 15 minutes and exposes you to less radiation than smoking two packs of cigarettes. 

Should I Be Screened for Lung Cancer?

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends an annual lung cancer screening for adults 50 to 80 years old who:

  • Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (smoked a pack per day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years) 
  • Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years

Why Get Screened?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Early detection and treatment help you live longer and enjoy better quality of life. Because there are no early symptoms, lung cancer is often not found until it has reached an advanced stage, making it the deadliest form of cancer.

What If My Results Aren't Normal?

If your CT scan shows an abnormality, the next step is to collect a sample of the suspicious tissue to examine in a lab. This procedure is called a biopsy. We’ll use imaging technology to guide medical tools through your airways and to the unusual tissue. This technology may include:

  • Bronchoscope (thin tube with a light and camera)
  • Ultrasound
  • CT imaging 

After we remove the sample tissue, we’ll send it to a lab. A pathologist (lab doctor) will check it for cancer cells. 

What If It's Cancer?

A cancer diagnosis is never easy. But at AnMed Cancer Center, you’ll find everything you need right here at home to fight—and win—your battle against cancer. You’ll benefit from: 

  • A dedicated lung cancer nurse navigator to guide you through treatment
  • Cancer specialists in many fields, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy
  • TrueBeamSTx™ system, the most powerful and precise radiation treatment for cancer
  • Numerous clinical research trials
  • A full spectrum of support services and local community resources

Learn more about AnMed lung cancer services.
 

Get Screened

Ask your doctor for a referral for a lung cancer screening at AnMed.