What is lung cancer screening? 

Lung cancer screening (LCS) is a procedure that helps with early detection of potential lung cancer in people who are otherwise healthy. LCS consists of a low-dose chest CT (LDCT) which has the potential to reduce lung cancer death by almost 25%.¹ One of the most important goals of LCS is to catch any abnormalities in the lungs that can lead to cancer. When caught early, there are more options for treatments, and the risk of dying from lung cancer is reduced.  

Who is eligible?

The United States Preventitive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends people to receive a lung cancer screening each year, if you meet the following criteria:

• Ages 50-80 years old
• 20 pack-year smoking history (calculate your pack years here)
• Currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years

How long should you continue screening?

The USPSTF recommends people to stop screening when they reach 80 years old. This is because there are higher chances of developing serious health issues that make it difficult to participate in lung cancer treatment. 

References:

1. de Koning HJ, van der Aalst CM, de Jong PA, Scholten ET, Nackaerts K, Heuvelmans MA, et al. Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Volume CT Screening in a Randomized Trial. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(6):503-13.