St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Services Imaging Lung Cancer Screening

Lung Cancer Screening

Are you one of the thousands of Americans who is at risk for developing lung cancer? Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths, with a projected 159,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2014. According to the American Cancer Society, more people die of lung cancer each year than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. The good news is that when diagnosed early, lives can be saved. HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s Lung Cancer Screening can do just that. St. Anthony’s Lung Cancer Screening is a quick, painless, non-invasive low dose CT scan which can detect nodules or spots on your lung which might be early indicators of lung cancer. It takes just one-minute to have a scan which can potentially save your life. If you have one of more of the following risk factors, you may benefit from a Lung Cancer Screening:

  • 55 to 77 years old who have smoked at least a pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years.
  • Current smoker.
  • Have quit smoking in the past 15 years, and are in relatively good health.

Do not have any general health exclusions, which include:

 

  • Life-limiting comorbid conditions.

  • Metallic implants or devices in the chest or back.

  • Requirement for home oxygen supplementation.

  • Treated for pneumonia in the last three months.

  • Recent history of Hemoptysis (coughing up blood).

  • Unexpected weight loss (greater than 15 pounds) in the last year.

  • CT scan of the chest in the last 12 months.

The cost of the screening is $175 and payment is expected at the time of the scan. Patients should consult with their insurance provider about coverage.

A physician’s order is required for a Lung Cancer Screening. If you would like to consider having this screening, please make an appointment with your family physician to have an informed discussion on the potential benefits, limitations and possible risks of having a Lung Cancer Screening. After reviewing and discussing the criteria for the Lung Cancer Screening, your physician will determine if you are a candidate for a Lung Cancer Screening.

For more information about St. Anthony’s Lung Cancer Screening, call St. Anthony’s Center for Advanced Imaging at 217-347-1349.