LungHealth: Lung Cancer Screening Program
Low-dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening Program
Lung cancer is the number-one cancer killer in America, taking more lives than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined. Every year, 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer and 160,000 die from it. However, early detection of lung cancer can increase the five-year survival rate for stage 1 lung cancer to nearly 90%.
LungHealth, the LDCT Lung Cancer Screening Program at BIDMC, provides screening to patients who are at risk for developing lung cancer. Through low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) examinations, we can proactively and safely screen patients for this disease.
LDCT lung cancer screening is the first and only cost-effective test proven to detect lung cancer at an early stage, which can result in a better chance of survival for patients. LDCT lung cancer screening at BIDMC is performed with a low dose of radiation and has minimal risk for the patient. The LDCT examination does not require the use of contrast and the examination is completed within 10 minutes.
BIDMC is a pioneer in LDCT lung cancer screening and was one of the study sites of the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial, a multi-center trial that was the breakthrough for LDCT lung cancer screening. The LungHealth program at BIDMC is a designated lung cancer screening center by the American College of Radiology.
Patients eligible for LDCT lung cancer screening:
- Are 50 to 80 years old.
- Have a 20 "pack year" or greater history. (Pack years are calculated using the number of years you smoked and the amount of packs of cigarettes smoked each day. For instance: 1 pack/day for 20 years is 20 pack years; 2 packs/day for 10 years is 20 pack years.)
- Are current or former smokers who have quit in the past 15 years.
- Have no current symptoms of lung cancer such as coughing up blood or sudden weight loss.
Make an Appointment
Please contact the program via phone at 617-667-5712 or 617-667-0274 or email us to schedule an appointment.