If you’ve ever smoked, you’re at risk for lung cancer. A quick, noninvasive lung scan increases the chance of spotting lung cancer in the early stages, when it’s easier to treat. In fact, research shows that when you find lung cancer early, your chance of surviving five years or more improves by 60%.

Talk with your doctor about whether a lung scan is right for you. At Aurora Health Care, we have one of the only programs in the region with a team that’s dedicated to performing and assessing lung screenings. We offer low-dose CT (LDCT) scans to find lung cancer in its earliest stages, often before you notice symptoms. With online scheduling and multiple convenient locations, we aim to make it easy to get the care you need, when and where you need it.

What is a low-dose CT lung scan?

An LDCT lung scan is an imaging test that uses X-rays and special computers to get detailed pictures of your lungs. It’s also known as a chest scan. The test allows your doctor to spot even the smallest tumors. Detecting these growths when they are small significantly increases the chance of successful treatment.

Benefits of an LDCT chest scan

Low-dose CT chest scans offer multiple benefits. They are:

• Convenient: Multiple Aurora Health Care locations offer LDCT lung scans near where you work and live.
• Effective: LDCT scans are 400% more likely to detect a mass than traditional chest X-rays. They are about 80% effective at finding lung cancer in its early stages.
• Painless: LDCT scans are completely noninvasive. Learn more about what to expect during a lung scan.
• Quick: A lung scan only takes a few minutes.
• Safe: These tests use minimal doses of radiation – up to 90% less than a traditional chest CT scan.

What does a lung scan look for?

A lung scan looks for early signs of lung cancer, such as small spots (nodules) in your lung tissue.

It’s somewhat common to find these nodules during a lung scan. They could be areas of scar tissue from past infections or noncancerous (benign) growths. But growing or large nodules could require further testing to check for cancer.

What are the risks of a lung scan?

Overall, lung scans have a low risk. But some potential risks include:

Radiation exposure

LDCT scans use a small amount of radiation. It’s about the equivalent of the radiation you’re exposed to over six months of daily life. It’s only slightly higher than the radiation women are exposed to during a mammogram.

False positives

One risk of a lung scan is finding something that looks like it could be cancer but is not. This is known as a false positive, which occurs in about 14% of lung cancer screenings. If you get a false positive, you may receive further tests or treatments that end up being unnecessary.

Your doctor will explain the risks of a false positive before the test. If they order a lung scan, they believe the test’s potential benefits outweigh the small risk of a false positive.

Incidental findings

LDCT scans take a picture of your lungs and other body parts. Sometimes, they can find signs of a health problem you didn’t know you had, known as an incidental finding.

Incidental findings can be beneficial. They allow you to start treatment for a condition you wouldn’t have otherwise known about. However, an incidental finding can mean added stress and more testing.

Why might I need a lung scan?

You may need a lung scan if you have a high risk of lung cancer. Your lung cancer risk is calculated based on multiple factors, including your age and smoking history. Find out more about who should get a lung scan.

Is a lung scan covered by insurance?

Most health insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover lung scans for people with a high risk of lung cancer. Our team can help you understand your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs before your screening.

Learn more & schedule a lung cancer screening

Get started with a lung cancer screening by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider. You’ll discuss risk factors and determine if a lung screening is right for you.

If you have questions about lung cancer screening, call us at 800-252-2990.