Lung Cancer Screening is designed to detect lung cancer at an early stage, often before symptoms manifest. Early detection can improve treatment outcomes and dramatically increase survival. This is done through the annual use of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Otherwise known as a CT scan of the chest done at a low radiation dose once per year.
Screening is currently recommended for those aged 50-80 years old who are a current or former person who smokes. A former person who smoked needs to have not quit greater than 15 years ago. Additionally, a minimum 20 pack year history is needed. Please use this link to calculate your pack year history and, remember, it is best to use the highest number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Our program is staffed by a dedicated team of experienced lung cancer screening professionals. These professionals have designed our program to be patient friendly and reduce barriers in order to offer a satisfying experience.
You will be scheduled for a short shared-decision making visit with a lung cancer screening provider where the process and its benefits and risks will be explained in detail. Once completed, the provider will take you down the hall to have a LDCT performed. Each LDCT takes approximately thirty seconds. At completion you will be free to go about your day and you will receive notification of your result within several business days. You will then be scheduled for your next LDCT in one year.
“Spots” or “nodules” on lungs are common and rarely found to be cancer. In fact, nearly 70% of Mississippi residents have nodules on their lungs. Our dedicated team will review each LDCT and ensure the recommended follow-up plan is appropriate. This recommended plan will be discussed with you and, together, it will be decided what you and your team are comfortable with. Most commonly you will continue to receive a LDCT once a year. However, on occasion, additional imaging may be needed at a shorter interval of three or six months. It is important to remember that even if you have a repeat LDCT in three or six months you will still be unlikely to have lung cancer. It is most likely that you will be returned to annual imaging once the “spots” are shown to have not grown.
However, in the event something is found to be suspicious you can take comfort knowing that UMMC’s lung cancer screening program is also a part of its Thoracic Oncology Program. This program meets weekly to discuss all lung cancer cases and consists of radiologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, pulmonologists, and more. All of these healthcare professionals are dedicated to ensuring your recommended intervention and plan is not only appropriate, but individualized.