Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) Lung Cancer Screening
Safe and accurate lung cancer detection
Lung Cancer Screening Program
Lung cancer is the number-one cancer killer in America, taking more lives than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. However, early detection of lung cancer can increase the five-year survival rate for stage 1 lung cancer to nearly 90%.
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening is the first and only cost-effective test proven to detect lung cancer at an early stage. LungHealth is the LDCT lung cancer screening program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). BIDMC is a pioneer in LDCT lung cancer screening and was one of the study sites of the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial. This multi-center trial was the breakthrough for LDCT lung cancer screening. The American College of Radiology has designated our LungHealth program as a designated lung cancer screening center.
Our program provides screening to people who are at risk of developing lung cancer. We perform LDCT lung cancer screening using a low dose of radiation. It does not require using contrast dye. The screening has minimal risk to you. Proactive and safe screening can result in a better chance of effective treatment.
More About LDCT Lung Cancer Screening
You are eligible for an annual LDCT lung cancer screening if you:
- Are 50 to 80 years old.
- Are a current or former smoker who has quit in the past 15 years.
- Have smoked for 20 “pack years.” We calculate pack years by looking at the number of years you smoked and the number of packs of cigarettes you smoked each day. As examples:
- Smoking one pack per day for 20 years is 20 pack years.
- Smoking two packs per day for 10 years is 20 pack years.
- Have no current symptoms of lung cancer such as coughing up blood or sudden weight loss.
If you still fit the criteria for eligibility, we recommend you undergo an LDCT lung cancer screening every year, up to age 80.
There are several risks and limitations of LDCT lung cancer screening. The potential risks of low dose lung cancer screening include:
- Radiation exposure: By using special techniques, the amount of radiation used in LDCT lung cancer screening is small. It averages the amount of radiation a person would receive from living in the United States for four months.
- False positive test result and additional testing: LDCT lung cancer screening can show a “false positive” test result. You may need to undergo more test, which we will only perform with your and your doctor’s permission. If you need to undergo a procedure — such as a biopsy or additional imaging tests— it can have potential side effects.
- Findings not related to lung cancer: The LDCT lung cancer screening exam also captures images of body regions close to the lungs such as the heart and the upper abdomen. In a small percentage of cases, the CT examination will also detect an incidental finding. This finding may not be serious. However, your care team may need to further examine it. If applicable, the report of the exam will include precise recommendations on how these findings should be investigated.
The LDCT examination itself takes less than 10 seconds. Overall, you should be done within 10 minutes. You don’t receive any medications and we don’t use any needles for the exam.
You can eat and drink before and after the exam. You do not need to change your clothes as long as the clothing on your chest does not contain metal. You must be able to hold your breath for about five seconds while we perform the chest CT scan.
Most insurance carriers cover yearly LDCT screenings. BIDMC will work with you to determine the full extent of your health care coverage.
Receiving Your Screening Results
The screening team will send your results to your doctor, who will share them with you. Additionally, you can view your results on patient portal (registration required).
