Lung Screening
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, for both men and women. Screening individuals at high risk can dramatically improve lung cancer survival rates by detecting the disease at an earlier stage when it can be more successfully treated. Studies have shown that a low-dose CT scan is the only lung cancer screening tool that reduces the risk of dying from cancer.
At Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, we have a dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialists including primary care physicians, pulmonologists, radiologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and a nurse navigator that will discuss the best treatment plan for you, should you require further treatment.
Are You Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening?
Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital follows the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) guidelines for lung cancer screening recommendations. Those that meet the below criteria fall in the highest risk group and are urged to undergo annual screenings.
- Men and women ages 50-80 years old
- 20 or more pack-year smoking history*
- Smoked one pack per day for 20 years or longer, or two packs per day for 10 years or longer
- Current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
- Showing no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
* To determine your pack years, multiply the number of packs smoked per day (1 pack = 20 cigarettes) by the number of years you have smoked.
You should be screened for lung cancer if you meet these conditions.
We recommend you follow up with your primary care physician or specialist if you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, are coughing up blood or have a persistent cough.
How Do I Get a Screening?
If you are at high risk for developing lung cancer and are recommended to receive an annual screening with low-dose CT scans, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital will provide the care you need with a focus on ease, convenience and comfort. We offer lung cancer screening appointments where you will receive personalized care in a calming environment. Our imaging teams will support you throughout your entire imaging procedure and provide you with any necessary education, so you can be assured quality care along with peace of mind.
How Much Does a Low-Dose CT Cost?
Screening is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans with no cost sharing. However, eligibility criteria may vary based on the type of plan you have, as many plans are currently updating their criteria to match new guidelines. It is important to know exactly what your insurance will cover, so be sure to verify coverage with your insurer provider before getting a lung cancer screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you come in for your screening appointment, you will receive a low-dose CT scan of your chest. During the screening, you will be lying on a bed that will slowly pass through the scanning machine. This special kind of X-ray will take multiple pictures from different angles to create a detailed picture of your lungs. The scan does not require any sedation or needles; it is quick and painless. After the test, a radiologist will look at the results for any suspicious lung nodules.
The entire appointment time can vary depending on the check-in process and queue. At Bayfront Health, we understand the value of your time, and we are committed to providing you with the highest quality of care in a timely manner. The screening test itself takes less than 10 minutes. After the screening, a physician will review your test and discuss the results.
The CT scan used for lung cancer screening has a very low dose of radiation exposure. In fact, radiation dose from this type of scan is 75 percent less than a regular CT scan and less than one-third that of the earth’s natural occurring radiation that you are exposed to in a full year.
The low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes. You will be lying on your back on a table that slides in and out of the scan machine while pictures of your lungs are taken, but you are never in an enclosed space and are able to see around you.
