Low-Dose CT Screenings Available to Detect Early-Stage Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is more treatable when it’s detected early. To help raise awareness of important lung cancer screenings, ChristianaCare recommends that people with a history of smoking should receive a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan that can detect cancer at an early stage.

Who should get screened?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and early-stage lung cancer often has no symptoms. This means people often find out they have it when it’s harder to treat and more deadly. Screening saves lives — a low-dose CT screening can detect lung cancer in its early stages, when it is much more treatable.

Delaware residents may call 302-623-0552 to schedule a low-dose CT scan.

“People who currently smoke or formerly smoked are at higher risk for lung cancer,” said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., the Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “If anyone is or has been a smoker and meets the eligibility requirements, I urge them to get screened.”

Maryland residents need a provider referral to get a low-dose CT scan. To schedule a scan with a referral, call 410-392-7050.

CT scans are quick, quiet, painless and noninvasive. The scan passes twice over the chest and back, which takes less than 15 minutes. Patients usually will receive the results in one to two weeks.

Are you eligible?

The following are eligibility requirements for lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan:

• Be ages 50 to 80 years AND
• Be asymptomatic (no symptoms of lung cancer) AND
• Have a history of heavy smoking AND
• Are a current smoker or quit smoking within the last 15 years AND
• Haven’t received a CT scan of the lungs in the past 12 months.

Heavy smoking is defined as a smoking history of 20 “pack years” or more. A “pack year” is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.

How to get screened

Delaware residents do not need a referral from a provider to schedule a low-dose CT scan. For more information, or to schedule a CT scan, call 302-623-0552.

Maryland patients do need a referral from their primary care or family doctor to get a low-dose CT scan. To schedule a scan with a referral, call 410-392-7050.

Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance companies cover the full cost of these scans as part of preventive care benefits for qualified individuals. Individuals should contact their insurance provider about their plan’s coverage details.

CT scans are quick, quiet, painless and noninvasive. The scan passes twice over the chest and back, which takes less than 15 minutes. Patients usually will receive the results in one to two weeks.

Click here for more on ChristianaCare’s Lung Health and Screening Program.