Low-Dose Lung CT Screening
We know early detection is one of the best defenses against cancer. Lung cancer screening is a painless, non-invasive procedure we offer to detect lung cancer in people who don't have symptoms. Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. By the time symptoms appear, cancer has likely spread and is more difficult to treat. When lung cancer is found early, treatments can lead to remission and recovery.
A low-dose CT scan (LDCT) is the recommended screening procedure for people at risk for lung cancer. Medicare and some insurance plans cover lung cancer screening for people who:
- Are age 50–77
- Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
- Have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 "pack years" (an average of a pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for 10 years, and so on)
Because prevention and screening are so important to lung health, Harris Regional offers a $110 CT lung screening program for at-risk individuals whose insurance does not cover the cost. This special cash price saves patients who meet eligibility requirements approximately $300 in out-of-pocket expenses.
Because CT scans can detect even tiny nodules in the lung, they are effective in diagnosing lung cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. In fact, about 80 percent of lung cancers are found at an early stage when there is a good chance of long term remission. Without screening, more than 70 percent of lung cancers are found at a late stage with little chance of recovery.