609-537-6363

609-537-6363

Lung Cancer Screening

Early Diagnosis is the Best Medicine

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the world. However, lung cancer can be deceptive because its symptoms often go undetected until later stages of the disease. The chance that a man will develop lung cancer in his lifetime is about 1 in 15, for women 1 in 17.

The Lung Cancer Screening Program at Capital Health Cancer Center uses advanced imaging capabilities shown to be effective in identifying lung cancer often before symptoms occur — when cancer is more treatable and the chances of long-term survival are higher.

A landmark study, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), showed a 20% relative reduction in mortality from lung cancer with low dose computed tomography (CT) screening.

Low Dose CT Scans (LDCT)

Capital Health’s advanced technology and CT diagnostics are a specialized form of X-ray providing cross-sectional 3D images. We use low-dose radiation taking 128- and 256-slice images of the lungs. The actual CT screening takes less than 10 seconds to complete. There is no contrast involved and no blood tests are required, therefore, no needles are used.

Risk Factors

Some of the most widely researched risk factors for lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include:

  • Age
  • Smoking history or exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Previous cancer history
  • Family history
  • Occupational exposures

Some people diagnosed with lung cancer may have none of these risk factors and they may not have been smokers.

Who Should Be Screened

Screenings can save lives, especially for current and former smokers. A CT scan is considered the gold standard for identifying lung cancer early for those:

  • Adults ages 50-80
  • Current smokers or those who have quit within the last 15 years
  • With a history of smoking 20 “pack years” (For example: 2 packs/day for 10 years or 1 pack/day for 20 years)

What to Expect

  • A CT scan takes only a few minutes
  • You will lie with your arms over your head on a flat table as the table passes into the CT scanner
  • You will lie still and hold your breath for 5-10 seconds as multiple scans are taken
  • The procedure is pain-free because there are no needles, contrasts, or blood tests
  • Your scans will be reviewed by a radiologist who will prepare a report that will be shared with you and your referring doctor

To Schedule an Appointment or for More Information 

Our navigator will help you determine your eligibility and schedule your screening. Most insurance providers, including Medicare, cover lung cancer CT screenings. To schedule a lung screening or for additional information, call 1-844-303-LUNG (5864).