CMC is detecting lung cancer early in high risk patients utilizing life saving lung screenings that are fast and painless.
Lung screenings save lives
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths — more than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. Screening for those at high risk for lung cancer is incredibly important. Most cases occur with no symptoms until its too late so accurate diagnosis of lung cancer in the early stages makes it easier to treat and cure.
The best technology available to you
At Conway Medical Center, we use low-dose CT scans (LDCT) to screen for lung cancer among high-risk people who meet specific criteria. Low-dose CT is currently the only recommended screening test for lung cancer. Chest x-ray and sputum cytology have not been found to have adequate sensitivity or specificity as screening tests.
Also LDCT is a type of CT exam that uses a low dose of radiation to take detailed images of the lungs. It does not use IV or oral contrast. We want to keep your risk low, so we use low-dose CTs that use much less radiation than a standard CT.
Lung screening is free for eligible patients because it is covered by Medicare and most private insurances.
Are you eligible
To be eligible for the screening program, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age between 55 and 80 years.
- Current smoker or former smoker who quit within the past 15 years.
- A smoking history of at least 30 pack years or more. (Pack years are calculated by multiplying the average number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years you smoked.)
- Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.
Note: Insurance plans may have their own age ranges for which they will cover CT lung cancer screening. To verify coverage, please check with your insurance provider.
Your decision
Please tell your doctor your decision about lung cancer screening. If you decide that lung screening is right for you, you can request that your referral for the screening be sent to CMC and you will be contacted to set your appointment.
Regardless of your decision about screening, avoiding cigarettes is the most important thing you can do to lower your chance of dying from many diseases, not just lung cancer. Quitting smoking helps with emphysema and asthma, as well as heart and vascular diseases. To learn about when CMC will hold our next series of smoking cessation classes, click here.
How to prepare for a lung screening
Most low-dose CT exams last 15 minutes but the actual scanning takes about two minutes.
- When to Arrive – Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment so we can properly prepare for your imaging.
- Eating & Drinking – You can eat and drink as you normally would before your appointment.
- Clothing – Please wear loose, comfortable clothes with no metal like zippers or underwire in bras. Metal can blur the images. We may ask you to change into hospital attire for clearer images.
- Valuables – You can keep your things with you during a CT exam, but we suggest you leave your valuables at home so you don’t have to worry about them.
- Children – Children are not allowed in the exam room. If you need to bring kids, please bring someone to watch them in the waiting room.
Lung Cancer Screening 101
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Use these questions to help
Fill out the form below. When you click submit, your answers will be emailed to you. Use this information to make a decision about lung screening or to have a more in depth conversation with you primary care physician and family members.