What Is Lung Screening?
A lung screening is a low-dose CT scan of your chest. It looks for lung cancer before you have any signs, when it may be easier to treat.
Who it is for
The American Cancer Society says a yearly lung screening is for people who:
- Are 50 to 80 years old.
- Smoke now, or used to smoke.
- Have 20 pack-years or more. A pack-year is 1 pack a day for 1 year.
It does not matter how long ago you quit. Check if it is right for you →
What happens at the scan
- You lie on your back on a flat table.
- The table slides into a large, round machine. It does not close around you.
- You hold still and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.
- The scan takes a few minutes. The whole visit can take up to half an hour.
- There are no shots, and you do not need to drink anything.
Getting your results
Your doctor will share what the scan shows. Most of the time, the results are normal.
If something shows up, it is usually not cancer. You may need another scan or more tests to be sure. What your results mean →
Why every year?
Lung screening works best when it is done once a year. Each scan can be compared with the one before.
The good and the hard parts
The good: screening can find lung cancer early, before it spreads.
The hard parts: it can show something that turns out not to be cancer, which means more tests and worry. Each scan uses a small amount of radiation. And it will not find every cancer.
Screening does not take the place of quitting smoking. Quitting is still the best thing you can do for your lungs.
Talk it over with your doctor first
Before your first scan, talk with your doctor about whether screening is right for you. Medicare asks for this visit before the first scan. Questions to ask →
Have a question?
The American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine can help. Call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) and press 2, send a question online, or chat live when chat is open.