What to expect: Lung cancer screening

Key Takeaways:

• Lung cancer is diagnosed with a low-dose CT scan, which is covered by insurance.
• Screening criteria include age 50-80, with smoking history (current and former smokers), and no symptoms.
• For areas without a lung cancer screening clinic, LUCAS travels the state offering mobile screening.

In recent years, there have been significant advances in the treatment of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death.

Lung cancer screening can detect cancer at its earliest stages before symptoms develop and when it is most treatable.

In this blog, we’re going to talk about how lung cancer screening works, who should get screened, and where to go for screening.

How do you screen for lung cancer?

A lung cancer screening CT, also called a low-dose CT scan or sometimes just a lung scan, is a test we use to look for lung cancer. It’s done like a traditional diagnostic CT scan, but it’s low dose because it requires less radiation.

You don’t need an IV because we don’t give any contrast with it. It’s a quick and painless scan.

Who should get screened?

You’re eligible for lung cancer screening if:

• You’re between the ages of 50-80
• You have a >20 pack/year smoking history
• You’re a current smoker or have quit smoking in the past 15 years
• You have no symptoms of lung cancer

What symptoms would warrant a lung cancer screening CT?

In this context, it’s usually not driven by symptoms. We’re screening folks who have no symptoms, meaning you just feel like you’re in your regular health. You meet the eligibility criteria.

We’re trying to find cancer at a very early stage before it causes any symptoms. One of the challenges in treating and diagnosing lung cancer is often in the early stages where the treatment outcomes are potentially curative.

That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about your eligibility.

Is it covered by insurance?

The answer to that is a resounding yes. It is covered by both Medicaid and Medicare, and almost every major insurer that I’m aware of covers screening for eligible folks.

What can I expect during a lung CT scan?

It’s a relatively quick visit. Before you get to the scan, you’ve already talked with your provider about your eligibility, and you’ve been enrolled in a screening program.

It will take longer to go to the sign-in desk, get registered, and change into a hospital gown than it will be the amount of time on the scan.

Once you’re changed and ready, you go into the scanner, and the scan itself is under two minutes.

Is there any advanced preparation required?

There’s no special preparation. You don’t have to fast. You don’t need an IV to get contrast dye. You just show up and get it done when you’re scheduled.

What can the scan diagnose?

When it comes to lung CT scans, we diagnose a lot of things that aren’t cancer.

For every case of lung cancer we diagnose, we also diagnose way more cases of things like heart disease. We can see calcification in the coronary arteries, the blood flow that supplies the heart.

We have a process for that. If we find it, we’re going to talk to your primary care provider and determine if you need a stress test.

We have found other types of cancer other than lung, like lymphoma or pancreatic cancer. It’s not the intent of the study, but if we find those sorts of things, we don’t ignore it.

We get you in to see the right people and get the right kind of treatment.

How long does it take to get results back?

After the images are collected and uploaded, our chest radiologists will look at them and interpret them. That usually happens within two days of having the scan, if the results are normal, which is what happens about 90 percent of the time.

You will be notified with the results on MyWVUChart, and you may get a letter as well.

What if the results are abnormal?

If the results are maybe a little bit abnormal, you’ll get a phone call about the next steps.

We are going to be with you every step of the way. If there’s an abnormal scan and you need to talk to a provider, we’re going to set that up and arrange all of it.

Where can I go to receive a screening lung cancer CT?

It’s probably closer to home than you realize.

At WVU Medicine, we have sites in Morgantown, Fairmont, Braxton County, Summersville, and if there’s not a stationary site near you, we also have a mobile program called LUCAS.

So, odds are it’s in a community near you, and you won’t have to drive hours to get your screening scan.

High-quality care close to home

A lung cancer diagnosis can be frightening, but we provide some of the nation’s best cancer care at the WVU Cancer Institute. Here, you’ll find hope, compassion, and the expertise you need.

We’re at the forefront of lung cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. As part of an academic health system, our robust clinical trials and research expand opportunities for participation in the latest lung cancer treatments.

The WVU Cancer Institute has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology, and our Lung Cancer Surgery Program has been nationally recognized as high performing by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/Cancer.