What to expect
What to expectLung cancer screening is recommended for people at higher risk, even if they feel well and have no symptoms. You may be eligible if you are between 50 and 80 years old, currently smoking, or have a history of heavy smoking. “Heavy smoking” is defined as 20 or more pack-years: for example, smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
Routine lung cancer screening is not currently recommended for people who don’t smoke or have minimal smoke exposure. If you’re unsure where you fall, ask your doctor. They can help assess your personal risk based on your medical history, lifestyle, and any additional factors such as family history or occupational exposures and determine whether screening is appropriate for you.
Preparing for your appointment
Lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan requires little to no preparation. You can usually eat, drink, and take your medications as normal. You may be asked to wear comfortable clothing without metal objects like zippers or remove jewelry.
During your scan
When you arrive, a technologist will guide you through the process and answer any questions.
Your scan is performed by a radiologic technologist, a trained healthcare professional who specializes in imaging procedures. You’ll lie on a padded table that slides into the CT scanner, which will be open, not enclosed like an MRI. You’ll be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds while images are taken.
The scan itself is quick and painless, with no injections or sedation required. The entire visit is typically 15 to 30 minutes, with the actual scan lasting less than 10 minutes.
While the test does involve a small amount of radiation, this amount is significantly lower than a standard CT scan. For people at high risk of lung cancer, the benefit of early detection generally outweighs this risk.
Results & Next Steps
Results & Next StepsYour low-dose CT scan will be reviewed by a radiologist with expertise in chest imaging. In most cases, results are available within a few days. Your doctor will share your results with you and explain what they mean.
If your test did not yield any abnormal findings, you’ll typically be advised to return for annual screening to continue monitoring your lung health over time.
It’s common for the scan to identify a lung nodule, but most small nodules are not cancerous. Small nodules can be caused by prior infections, inflammation, or scar tissue. If a nodule is detected on your scan, your doctor will most likely recommend a repeat CT scan in several months to see if the nodule changes in size or appearance.
If a finding appears more suspicious, your care team may recommend additional evaluation. This could include more detailed imaging, such as a diagnostic CT or PET scan, or referral to a specialist for further assessment. Your doctor will recommend a biopsy if needed, though biopsies following a low-dose CT scan are rare.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.
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