Low-Dose CT Screenings
Low-Dose CT Can Identify Lung Cancer for Those at High Risk
Midland Memorial Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Associates (DIA) offers lung cancer screenings using low-dose computed tomography (CT). Individuals who have smoked the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years are at a higher risk for lung cancer. By screening those at high risk, we can identify lung cancer in earlier stages when it is more likely to be treatable.
A low dose CT screening is a radiology study used to detect early lung cancer. It is called “low dose” because it uses less radiation than a traditional CT scan. In fact during this scan, you will only be exposed to about half of the radiation you get from the sun in a year. It is a fast, easy, and painless test. There are no needles involved. The person to be screened lies on his back on a special table that slides through a doughnut shaped scanner. The opening in the scanner is wide and most people tolerate it very well as they are not “closed in.” You will be instructed to hold your breath and then to breathe at different times. The entire screening takes less than 5 minutes. After the screening you will be able to leave immediately as there is no recovery needed.
Lung cancer screenings are recommended only for adults who have no symptoms but who are at high risk for developing the disease because of their smoking history and age. Find out if you are a candidate for a low-dose CT screening by answering the questions below.
Do You Need a Screening?
- Are you between the ages of 55 and 80 years old?
- Are you a current or former smoker who quit smoking less than 15 years ago?
- Have you smoked at least 30 packs a year? Calculate this by multiplying your average packs smoked per day by the amount of years you’ve smoked.
If you answered “yes” to the three questions above and have never been diagnosed with lung cancer, talk to your doctor about scheduling a screening. If a lung cancer screening is right for you, your physician can refer you to Diagnostic Imaging Associates.
This information provided by our experts at The Lung Center and Diagnostic Imaging Associates, an accredited CT Lung Screening facility.