Frequently asked questions
Who can get screened for lung cancer?
- If you are 50-80 years old and have a smoking history of 20 pack years or more, you can get screened for lung cancer.
Examples of at least a 20 pack year smoking history
1 pack per day for 20 years, 2 packs per day for 10 years
Calculate your pack year history
- If you have smoked this amount or more, you may be eligible for lung cancer screening.
- You can get screened even if you quit smoking, as long as you quit in the past 15 years.
What are the costs of a lung cancer screen?
Costs may differ based on your specific benefit and coverage information, as well as the specific services you receive. Please contact your insurance provider to ask about your expected out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare currently covers the costs of lung cancer screening for eligible patients, as do many private insurance companies. In some cases you may have to pay a portion of the costs.
What if my results are abnormal?
Your results will be read by our world-class physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. And should your results require further assessment, you have access to Siteman Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary team who can provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment options.
Are there risks associated with the screening?
As with any scan of this kind, you will be exposed to some radiation, which has the potential for health risks. However, because our team uses a low-dose CT scan, there is less exposure than with traditional tests. It’s important to discuss these risks and other risks with your doctor.
What are low-dose CT lung scans?
A low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) image takes many pictures of your lungs, so a specialist can scan the images for cancer. Because this type of scan is “low-dose,” it uses reduced amount of radiation as compared to other CT imaging. During the scan, which takes about a minute, you’ll lie on a table while a technologist performs the test. There are no needles used or contrast dyes used.