Lung Cancer

Low-Dose CT Scan (LDCT)

Involved the usage of small amounts (low doses) of radiation in order to create detailed images of the lungs. The procedure is painless, noninvasive, and only takes a few minutes.

Low-dose CT scan lung screening illustration

Screening Frequency (high risk patient):

Ages 50 to 80 years → once every year

Who Should be Screened

Adults between the ages of 50 and 80
People who have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history (a pack year is one pack per day for a year)
Current smokers or former smokers who have quit within the past 15 years

An average-risk patient is someone who does NOT have:

Significant smoking history
Daily exposure to lung carcinogens
Personal history of lung cancer

A high-risk patient is someone with:

A long history of cigarette smoking (20 pack-years+)
Current smoker or quit within the last 15 years
Exposure to harmful substances

Additional Information

CDC: Lung Cancer