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Lung Cancer Screening
If you are between 50 and 77 years old, are a current or former smoker, and have a 20-pack year smoking history, you may qualify for lung cancer screening at Essentia Health. Screening can help find lung cancer before symptoms appear, which can make it easier to treat. If you meet the criteria, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss next steps.
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Am I Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening?
You may qualify for a lung cancer screening if you:
- Are 50 to 77 years old
- Are a current smoker or quit smoking less than 15 years ago
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years)
If you meet all these qualifications, you can get a low-dose CT scan (LDCT). This test uses low-dose radiation to take detailed pictures of your lungs.
Low-dose CT Screening Results
Sometimes the LDCT scan shows small spots in your lungs called nodules. Most nodules aren’t cancer. If your scan finds a nodule, your provider may recommend more diagnostic tests.
Is a low-dose CT covered by insurance?
Yes, most insurance plans cover screenings as part of preventive care. Contact your insurance company to check your coverage.
Hear From an Essentia Low-Dose CT Screening Patient
Fran was a long-time smoker. After a horrible cough, she turned to Essentia for a low-dose CT scan. Tests showed Fran had Stage 3 small-cell lung cancer in her right lung.
Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer
The best way to lower your risk of lung cancer is to quit smoking. Essentia Health has smoking cessation experts who can help you stop smoking. They offer counseling and nicotine replacement products to make quitting easier.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is harmful to your family’s health. It contains nicotine and toxic chemicals, just like the smoke you inhale. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer and other types of cancer. Quitting smoking can make your home safer for your loved ones.
Current Clinical Research Studies
Talk to your doctor to see if you may be eligible to participate in a research study through the Essentia Institute of Rural Health. By participating in a clinical study, you may have access to treatments, medications and medical devices that are not widely available.
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Pulmonary Medicine
Breathe easier and enjoy a better quality of life with lung and breathing care from expert pulmonologists, or lung doctors, at Essentia Health.