Howard University Hospital Lung Cancer Screening
Find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat.
A lung cancer screening is a quick, painless scan of your chest. It can find lung cancer before you have any symptoms. Finding it early can save lives.
If you are 50 or older and have smoked, insurance may cover your visit. Speak to your primary care provider to request a screening.
Saturday, November 14th is National Lung Cancer Screening Day!
Who Qualifies for Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening?
What are the standard eligibility guidelines?
The American College of Radiology recommends annual screening if you meet these three criteria:
Are between the ages of 50-80.
Have a 20 or more pack per year smoking history.
Currently smoke OR have quit within the past 15 years.
What does a 20 pack-year history mean?
One pack-year means smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years equals 20 pack-years.
When is screening usually done?
Screening is generally performed once a year. It may stop after 15 years without smoking, or if a health condition would prevent someone from having curative lung surgery. Talk with us about your individual situation.
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Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death.
Most people have no symptoms until the cancer has spread.
In large studies, yearly scans lowered the chance of dying from lung cancer by about 1 in 5 (20%) for people at high risk.
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Family members (parent, brother, sister, child) who had lung cancer
COPD, emphysema, or lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis)
Had other cancers, or radiation to the chest
Worked around asbestos, silica, diesel fumes, coal smoke, or similar materials
Lived in a home with high radon
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No. Chest X-rays are not recommended for lung cancer screening.
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A low-dose CT scan gives you much less radiation than does a standard CT scan. A low-dose CT scan gives you about half the radiation you get naturally from the environment in a year.
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First, you will talk with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant about the benefits and risks of screening. This is called a "shared decision-making visit." Medicare requires it before your first scan.
You need a referral (order) from a provider. We can help if you don't have one.
No needles, no dye, and no fasting.
Wear clothes without metal (no zippers, snaps, or underwire) if you can.
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You lie on your back on a table that slides through a large, open ring. It is not a closed tube.
You hold your breath for a few seconds.
The scan takes less than a minute. Your whole visit is about 15–30 minutes.
It does not hurt
It's never too late to quit. Quitting smoking lowers your risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke at any age.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Ask about medications that can double your chances of quitting.
