What Is Low Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Lung Cancer What Is Low Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer This noninvasive, quick, and often free test can spot lung cancer in its early, curable, stages. By Julie Lynn MarksMedically Reviewed by Thomas Urban Marron, MD, PhDReviewed: May 6, 2021Medically ReviewedLow dose CT scanning for lung cancer can detect lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable, stage, or rule out the presence of cancer entirely, as in the images above.iStockComputed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, is a test that creates detailed pictures of structures inside your body. A chest CT scan lets doctors look at your lungs to detect any unusual nodules, or lesions, within your lungs. These nodules can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Studies show that when doctors are able to detect lung cancer early, via CT screenings, they are more curable than if caught later, when they become larger, spread, and are more symptomatic. This is important because lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related death in the United States. According to Cedars Sinai, experts estimate that more than 80 percent of lung cancers can be cured if they are detected at a very early stage. RELATED: Can You Survive Lung Cancer? How Does a Lung CT Scan Work A CT scan uses low-dose X-ray beams that circle around your body to capture pictures from different angles. A special computer takes this information and creates cross-sectional “slices” of the inside of your body. These slices can be digitally stacked together to form detailed images that allow radiologists to view and analyze different areas of the lungs. RELATED: Why Are ‘Never-Smokers’ Getting Lung Cancer? Guidelines Who Should Have a Lung CT Scan The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) guidelines for yearly CT lung scans are based on a person’s age and smoking habits. The current recommendations say adults ages 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years should receive annual screening. A “pack year” means you smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for a year, or an equivalent amount. Your doctor may recommend CT screening, regardless of your age or smoking history. For example, if you have a strong family history of lung cancer, experience unusual symptoms, or if your physician suspects you have lung cancer, your doctor may suggest a scan. RELATED: Updated Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines: More Americans Should Be Screened at a Younger Age, Say Experts How to Prepare for a Lung CT Scan Getting ready for a lung CT scan is relatively simple. You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and remove any metal objects, such as jewelry or belt buckles. Let your doctor know about all the medicines you take and any medical conditions you have before undergoing a CT scan. Before having the test, women should let their physician know if there’s a chance they could be pregnant. RELATED: New Hope for Previously ‘Undruggable’ Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer What Happens During the Scan During the scan, you’ll lie on your back with your arms above your head as a scanner moves around your body. A technician will tell you to hold your breath briefly when the pictures are being taken. The technician will be able to see and hear you via an intercom. The procedure is painless and typically takes about five minutes. RELATED: When ‘Just a Cough’ Is Actually Stage 4 Lung Cancer Are There Downsides to Having a CT Scan CT scans expose you to a small amount of radiation. To date, the low doses of radiation used in CT scans have not been shown to cause any long-term harmful effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. At much higher doses, radiation exposure can increase the risk for cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns. One potential drawback of many screening tests is that they might identify abnormalities that turn out not to be cancerous. This means that you may end up having unnecessary procedures, such as a biopsy, in the process of determining the lesion’s status. RELATED: Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: 8 Tips to Manage Shortness of Breath Results What Happens After a Lung CT Scan After your scan, you can return to your normal routine. A radiologist will interpret the results of the images and send a report to your doctor. Your results should be ready within a few days, according to the American Lung Association. If your scan revealed a suspicious lesion, you may need to have the spot biopsied to determine if it’s cancer. Per Emory Healthcare, most lung nodules are caused by scar tissue from a previous infection and are not cancerous. If your doctor detects a benign lesion, you may need to have a follow-up test yearly for one or two years to make sure it doesn’t grow. RELATED: Tracking Lung Cancer’s Path How Much Does It Cost Your health insurance company should cover the cost of the scan if you meet the requirements for lung cancer screening. According to the nonprofit initiative Choosing Wisely, a CT scan without insurance coverage can cost about $300 (or sometimes more). Talk to your doctor or insurance provider to see if you qualify for a free scan. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Lung Cancer The Price of Being Invisible How One Black Woman Fought for Her Lung Cancer Diagnosis Nichelle Stigger thought she had lung cancer. Doctors didn’t believe her. Six months later, she learned she was right.By Susan K. TreimanOctober 7, 2022 Standing Up for Better Lung Cancer CareWith the support of his family, Walter Pearsall spoke up about his lung cancer treatment and was able to get the care he deserves.By Lambeth HochwaldOctober 6, 2022 Building Trust Is Key to Breaking Barriers in Lung Cancer CareEnid Harding is helping marginalized communities get access to lung cancer screenings. She starts by listening to them.By Kaitlin SullivanAugust 24, 2022 Working to Reduce Lung Cancer s Impact on Hard-Hit CommunitiesCarmen Guerra, MD, has launched navigator programs that help patients plan and access screening and treatment.By Susan K. TreimanAugust 24, 2022 Spotlight On LUNGevityLUNGevity offers people with lung cancer and survivors an array of critical services ranging from basic information to peer-to-peer patient mentorship...By Leona VaughnJune 23, 2022 Nearly Half of People With Abnormal Lung Cancer Screening Postpone Follow-Up CareCurrent smokers more likely to delay care, prompting concern from experts.By Becky UphamMay 24, 2022 What Is Scanxiety and How Can It Affect You When You Have Metastatic Lung Cancer By Katherine LeeFebruary 2, 2022 It s Possible Everything Is Going to Be Okay — A Powerful Metastatic Lung Cancer MantraBy Katherine LeeFebruary 2, 2022 I Feel Happier Now Than Ever — and I Have Metastatic Lung Cancer By Katherine LeeFebruary 2, 2022 I Had a Nagging Feeling That Something Was Wrong in My Body By Katherine LeeFebruary 2, 2022MORE IN Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Tests Have You Been Screened for Lung Cancer What Happens After a Lung CT Scan