Why is there a need for lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer continues to kill more people than any other type of cancer. More, in fact, than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. A screening examination of any type is performed in order to detect a disease process at a time before signs or symptoms suggest the presence of disease. Successful detection of lung cancer at an early enough stage that it can be cured is possible. Routine chest x-rays are limited in their ability to find lung cancer before it reaches an advanced stage. Therefore, better detection methods are crucial and currently available via Low Dose CT Lung Screening.

Who should consider Low Dose CT Lung Screening?

What is Low Dose CT Lung Screening?

Low Dose CT Lung Screening is performed utilizing the latest technology in multi-slice computed tomography (CT). It is specifically designed to rapidly screen the lungs with minimal radiation exposure to detect pulmonary nodules, and is neither designed nor intended to screen for abnormalities elsewhere in the thorax (ie, heart, aorta, lymph nodes, bones).

How is the examination performed?

While lying on the imaging table, you will be asked to hold your breath for about 10-15 seconds while the images of your lungs are taken. There are no needles or other invasive procedures associated with the exam.

How long will the examination take to complete?

What results should I expect?

In most cases, the examination will be normal and if your results are negative then no pulmonary nodules were detected. This means that there is no evidence of lung cancer. You should consider repeating the exam in one to two years if you are at high risk for lung cancer. Occasionally, we may notify patients of abnormalities in the lungs which are not cancer but require medical attention.

If a pulmonary nodule is detected, we will recommend that you contact your referring physician, and possibly, a lung specialist. The finding of a lung nodule does not necessarily mean that you have lung cancer. Many nodules within the lung are caused by benign (non-cancerous) disease such as scar tissue. Depending on the size and appearance of the nodule, another type of test may be required or we may recommend follow-up CT scans based on a set of standard guidelines. These follow-up scans will be performed in consultation with your referring physician and are usually covered by insurance.

When will the results be available?

Your examination will be read by one of our board certified radiologists. Results from the screening will be mailed to you within approximately 48 hours following the procedure. Your referring physician will receive the results within the same time frame. If you do not receive your results within 10 days, please call our office. All results, whether normal or abnormal, will be mailed directly to you.

What is the cost of the examination and will it be covered by insurance?

The charge for the screening examination is $325.00. As with many screening examinations, insurance companies may not cover this procedure. Therefore, we ask that the patient render payment at the time of the procedure. However, your insurance should cover any follow up diagnostic scans recommended from positive findings on the screening examination. In order to file your claim, we must have an order for the examination from your primary care physician or other healthcare provider.

How do I schedule my appointment?

Contact your physician’s office or call our scheduling department at 901-387-2340 to schedule. You do not need a physician’s order to schedule an appointment since it is a screening examination.