When it Comes to Lung Cancer, Early Detection Can Save Your Life
You have a lot to look forward to, whether it’s your grandson’s baseball game or your weekend barbeque, so now is the time to consider a lung cancer screening.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States—more than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. It's no secret that smokers have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers, even years after quitting.
If you are a current or former smoker who is concerned about your risk for developing lung cancer, our low-dose CT screening program may be right for you. This method of early detection for lung cancer has been proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer death by 20%. It is the only recommended tool for detecting lung cancer in its earliest stage—before symptoms are apparent. And early detection offers the best opportunity for a cure.
Who Is Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening?
Our program follows the guidelines from the National Lung Screening Trial and is recommended for adults who:
- Are between the ages of 50 and 80
- Have a "20-pack-year" history of smoking. A pack year is the number of packs of cigarettes smoked daily, multiplied by the number of years smoking. For example, one pack a day for 20 years, or 2 packs a day for 10 years
- Meet the above criteria and currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
- Have no symptoms or history of lung cancer
Lancaster General Health offers an online assessment to determine if you're eligible for this screening. A doctor's referral is needed to schedule this test.
What to Expect
- Your appointment will take approximately 1 hour
- The CT scan takes approximately 10 seconds
- Once the scan is complete, you will be asked to wait until images are verified as accurate
- Our board-certified radiologists will review your results and they will be sent to your primary care physician
- Our Nurse Navigator will work with your physician to ensure proper follow-up care is received if necessary
Is This Test Covered by Insurance?
Yes. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have an order from your primary care physician, your insurance, including Medicare, will cover the cost of the lung cancer screening.
The self-pay fee includes the CT scan, interpretation and written report by a board-certified radiologist, and follow-up reminder from the radiologist to the patient and referring physician, when needed.
How Do I Schedule My Screening?
If you have an order from your primary care physician, please call our scheduling phone number at 717-544-5941.