You probably know about mammograms and colon cancer screening.
But if you currently smoke or smoked in the past, there is another screening you may not have heard nearly as much about: low-dose CT lung cancer screening.
The appointment is short. The actual scan takes about 30 seconds. And for people who qualify, screening may be covered by insurance with no cost sharing.
So, should you be getting one?
For Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we are answering some of the most important questions about lung cancer screening.
Who Should Get Lung Cancer Screening?
This is where it can get confusing, because different organizations have slightly different guidelines.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual low-dose CT screening for adults who:
- Are ages 50 to 80
- Have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history
- Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years
The USPSTF gives this recommendation a Grade B.
The American Cancer Society also recommends annual screening for adults ages 50 to 80 with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history. However, its 2023 guideline removed the requirement that someone must have quit within the past 15 years.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, that is a good reason to talk with your healthcare provider.
What Is a Pack-Year?
It sounds more complicated than it is.
One pack-year means smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year.
Your provider can help you review your smoking history and determine whether you meet current screening recommendations.
Is Lung Cancer Screening for Everyone?
No.
Lung cancer screening is intended for people who meet the eligibility guidelines and do not have symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, do not try to determine whether you qualify for a screening scan. Contact your healthcare provider so they can determine what type of evaluation you need.
Screening and evaluating symptoms are not the same thing.
What Actually Happens During a Low-Dose CT Scan?
Here is the part that may surprise you.
The scan itself takes about 30 seconds.
A low-dose CT uses less radiation than a standard CT scan to create detailed images of your lungs. At Hudson Imaging in Hudson, WI, a provider referral is required before your screening.
While the scan itself is very quick, allow additional time for the overall appointment.
Is Lung Cancer Screening Covered by Insurance?
For many eligible people, yes.
Because the USPSTF gives lung cancer screening a Grade B recommendation, most private health insurance plans must cover recommended screening for eligible patients without cost sharing.
Medicare has its own eligibility requirements.
Medicare covers annual low-dose CT lung cancer screening for people who:
- Are ages 50 to 77
- Have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history
- Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years
When the provider accepts Medicare assignment, eligible patients pay nothing for the screening.
Before the first Medicare-covered screening, Medicare also requires a counseling and shared decision-making visit and a provider order.
Insurance requirements can vary, so it is always a good idea to verify your individual coverage.
Where Can I Get Lung Cancer Screening Near Hudson?
You do not have to travel far from the St. Croix Valley for screening.
Hudson Imaging, a partnership between Hudson Physicians, Minneapolis Radiology and Twin Cities Orthopedics, offers low-dose CT lung cancer screening in Hudson, WI.
The actual scan takes about 30 seconds, and a provider referral is required.
If you live in Hudson, WI, Stillwater, MN, or the surrounding St. Croix Valley, your Hudson Physicians provider can help you determine whether screening may be appropriate and provide the referral needed for imaging.
What If I Still Smoke?
Do not let that stop you from asking about screening.
Screening and quitting smoking are two separate conversations, and both are worth having.
If you currently smoke and are ready to think about quitting, talk with your Hudson Physicians provider about a quit plan and the options that may be appropriate for you.
You do not have to have everything figured out before you make the appointment.
What If I Quit Years Ago?
This is another reason it is important to talk with your provider rather than assuming you do not qualify.
The guidelines are not all the same.
The USPSTF recommendation includes people who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
Medicare also uses the 15-year timeframe for coverage.
However, the American Cancer Society’s 2023 guideline removed the 15-year limit, recommending annual screening for adults ages 50 to 80 with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history regardless of how long ago they quit.
Your provider can help you understand which recommendations and insurance requirements apply to you.
What Is the Most Important Question to Ask?
It is simple:
Should I be screened?
If you are between 50 and 80 and have a history of smoking, do not assume someone else will bring it up.
Ask.
A conversation with your provider can help determine whether you meet current screening guidelines, whether your insurance covers the screening and what your next step should be.
This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, take a few minutes to have the conversation.
The scan itself may take only 30 seconds.
Ready to Get Started?
Call Hudson Physicians at 715-531-6800 or schedule an appointment online to talk with a provider about whether lung cancer screening is right for you.
