Lung Cancer Screenings

The best defense against advanced lung cancer is early detection. Dignity Health offers annual lung screening CT scans through our Lung Screening Program, designed to find disease in its earliest, most treatable stages for people at higher risk due to age and a significant smoking history.

Screening Process

The screening process is quick and painless. The test consists of a low-dose CT scan. The scan takes only a couple of minutes and doesn’t require any special preparations.

If abnormalities are found,  we will discuss these directly with you and your referring provider, then help to coordinate any recommended follow-up appointments, like additional imaging or consultation with a lung doctor. 

Why get screened?

Lung cancer claims more lives than breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers combined. Fortunately, effective screening offers a solution: Studies show that annual low-dose CT scans reduce lung cancer deaths in high-risk individuals by at least 20%. Early detection and treatment are projected to save over 70,000 American lives from lung cancer annually.

Who is eligible for lung screening?

• You’re between the ages of 50-80
• You’ve smoked tobacco in the past 15 years, AND
• You have smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years or comparable (i.e., ½ pack per day for 40 years)

If you meet the criteria, your insurance or Medicare plan should cover the cost of your test in full, with no co-pay. If you don’t meet the current criteria, we can discuss your options with you.

Learn more

If you’d like to learn more about the lung screening program or to determine if you might be a candidate for screening, please call 805-346-3463.