Lung Cancer Screening Program
If you are between the ages of 55 and 77 and are a current smoker or quit
smoking within the last 15 years, you may benefit from a low-dose CT lung
cancer screening.
A low-dose CT lung cancer screening helps prevent death from lung cancer
by finding it at an earlier stage, before symptoms appear and when it
is easier to treat.
Risk Factors
- Age 55 to 77
- Smoker or quit within the last 15 years
-
Smoking history of at least 30 pack-years
(1 pack/day for 30 years, 2 packs/day for 15 years, etc.)
- No symptoms of lung cancer
Talk With Your Doctor
If you have the risk factors, talk with your doctor about whether you should
be screened. The screening involves a low-dose CT scan that takes less
than a minute, no needles or medications are needed, and there is only
a minimal amount of radiation exposure. The scan can take place at St.
Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Lake View Hospital in Two Harbors, or
Laurentian Medical Clinic in Mountain Iron.
Testing and Follow Up
After the test, your doctor will contact you with the results. If your
scan is clear, annual low-dose CT screenings will be recommended. If there
is a need for further testing or treatment, it will be coordinated by
your medical provider.
Cost
The cost of screening for patients who qualify is covered by Medicare and
most private insurance companies. For people who need to pay out of pocket,
the cost is $299.