Lung Cancer Screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography in people who meet all of these criteria:

• Are ages 50 to 80 years. (Insurance may have a different age range requirement)
• Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc)
• Currently smoke cigarettes or quit within the past 15 years.

If you meet the high-risk criteria, your doctor will have a shared-decision making discussion with you to help you decide if you want to do lung cancer screening.

During this conversation, you will discuss the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening and what you can expect from the process.

A lung screening is a  test used to detect lung cancer at a very early stage-before any symptoms appear.  The screening is performed using a low -dose CT.   A low-dose CT is a special kind of x-ray that takes detailed three dimensional pictures of your lungs. During a lung screening scan, you will  lie down on the table of the CT machine with your arms extended behind your head.  The table will slide in and out of the scanner while you lie as still as possible. You may be asked to hold your breath. The technologist who runs the scan will talk you through the whole process. The scan is painless and takes less than one minute .

Medicare patients are eligible for initial lung cancer screening coverage if they are:

• Between the ages of 50-77;
• Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc.);
• Are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years; AND
• Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

Medicare patients will not be charged a copay, co-insurance or a deductible for the  screening when performed at an “in-network” facility.

Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and many private health insurance plans cover lung cancer screening without cost-sharing, but eligibility criteria varies based on type of plan you have.

When booking your appointment, check in advance that the facility and providers are “in network” to avoid cost-sharing or talk with your primary care physician about finding a facility and provider that is.

Understanding The Results

A “positive” result means that the low-dose CT scan shows something abnormal. This is usually a nodule of a concerning size. You may need to have additional scans or other procedures to find out exactly what it is.

These next steps should be discussed with you by your physician and/or the team of experts at the screening center.

A “negative” result means there were no abnormal findings at this time on this scan. Your doctor should discuss when and if you should be tested again.

There may also be an “indeterminate” result, and your doctor may recommend watchful follow-up and further imaging at a later time.

If you are at high risk for lung cancer and you and your doctor determine that you should be screened, it is important that you receive your low-dose CT (LDCT) scan at a facility with staff who have expertise in lung cancer screening.

Boone Hospital Center meets or exceeds all of the CMS requirements for facilities performing lung cancer screenings.  When you “Choose Boone”, you know your lung cancer screening will be :

• performed by registered technologists with extensive education and experience in low-dose CT scans
• performed using the technical requirements outlined by the American College of Radiology (ACR)?
• read by a board certified radiologist who is highly trained in reading lung cancer screenings

The American Lung Association is a great resource for information about lung health, lung diseases, smoking cessation and lung cancer screening.

To access their information directly, visit their Lung Cancer Screening page or download their Informational Poster.

If you have questions about eligibility, insurance coverage, or  scheduling a lung cancer screening, call Boone Health’s Stewart Cancer Center at 573.815.2873 and speak with a nurse navigator.

It is also important to talk to your doctor to see if lung cancer screening is right for you.