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Overview
Lung cancer is a deadly disease, despite the fact that it is often curable when discovered early. Unfortunately however, most patients with early-stage lung cancer do not have any symptoms and are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed to a point where the cure rates are dismal.
Obviously, the best defense against lung cancer is not to smoke, or if you do smoke, to quit immediately. For those who are unable to quit, or for those who have successfully kicked the habit and are concerned that their past smoking may have an impact on their present health, we recommend a Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening CT Scan at XRC Medical Imaging. This test is simple, quick and painless. There are no needle sticks and the total scan time is only about 10 minutes. All the patient has to be able to do is raise his or her arms above their head and be able to hold their breath for about 15 seconds.
The scan will be interpreted by a board-certified radiologist from X-Ray Consultants later in that day and a complete report, as well as a CD of the images will be mailed to you. We also recommend that you provide us with the name of your family physician so that we can provide a report to him or her also. If you would like to have the radiologist who interpreted the study to review the exam with you, that can be arranged at a mutually convenient scheduled time.
CT scans for lung cancer cannot provide you with a 100% guarantee that you do not have lung cancer; no non-invasive test is able to do that. They do however, remain an excellent tool for finding lung nodules as small as 5 mm in diameter and provide patients with an opportunity to get any worrisome findings worked up at an early stage, thus improving survival rates, if indeed the nodules prove to be cancerous. Many nodules are not cancerous though, and we will urge any patients with nodules to seek medical advice as to the most reasonable course of follow-up.
Fast Facts
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide.1
- In the United States, lung cancer causes more deaths than breast, prostate, cervical and colon cancers combined.1
- It is estimated that lung cancer will have claimed 162,460 lives in the U.S. in 2006.2
- Lung cancer is most frequently caused by cigarette smoking.2
- Approximately 26% of adult Americans are committed and addicted cigarette smokers.3
- The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer has not changed in the last 25 years, remaining at a dismal 13%.3
- In 15-40% of the cases, by the time lung cancer is found, it has already spread outside of the lung.4
- For early stage lung cancer patients who undergo surgical resection, the 5-year survival rate is 60-80%.5
- Digital x-rays can reliably detect lung nodules of 1.0 cm in diameter. CT scans can reliably detect nodules on the order of 4-5 mm in diameter.3
Who should consider getting a Lung Cancer CT Screening Scan?
In order to participate in this program, individuals must be at least one of the following:
- At least 45 years old, AND
- Able to raise their arms above their head and hold their breath for at least 15 seconds, AND
- Have at least a 10 pack-year cigarette smoking history (to determine your pack-year history, multiply the average number of packs of cigarettes you smoke per day times the number of years that you have smoked. For example, if you have smoked an average of 1 pack per day for 15 years, you would have a 15 pack-year smoking history.), OR
- Have been exposed to known cancer-causing agents such as second-hand smoke, asbestos or radon, OR
- Have had cancer of the lung* or head or neck regions, OR
* must not have been treated for lung cancer within the past 5 years
- Have a family history of lung cancer, OR
- Have documented obstructive airway disease.
Commonly asked questions
- Will the radiation I receive from this scan be harmful to me?
No. Radiation dosage from medical x-ray studies should always be kept to a minimum, but is always well below what is considered dangerous. This program is a “low-dose” CT scan, which accounts for even less radiation dosage than most other CT scans.
- Will the CT scan hurt? Will I need to be injected with anything?
The scan is completely painless and takes only a few minutes to complete. No injections of any kind are necessary.
- How much does this scan cost and will my insurance pay for it?
Lung screening is considered an elective procedure and insurances do not cover it. The cost of the scan is $399, however we currently have an introductory offer of $50 off of that price. Payment is expected at the time of service. Cash, check or credit cards are accepted. If you are an enrollee of a government-sponsored health plan such as Medicare, Medicaid, Champus or Veterans Administration, the cost is at that prevailing rate controlled by those programs.
- If I ask to be able to review my scan with a radiologist, is there an extra charge? Also, will the radiologist give me a lecture about smoking?
There is no extra cost to have your scan results explained to you by the interpreting radiologist. As a physician, the radiologist will probably advise you to quit smoking, if you haven’t already, but we do not give lectures, impart guilt or make judgments on individuals because they smoke or have smoked.
- What happens if something abnormal is found on my scan?
There are degrees of abnormal. Many people, as they age, develop harmless nodules in their lungs, which do not require medical attention. Some nodules however, require more extensive testing to make sure that they do not represent a cancer. In some cases a mass is found which definitely requires prompt medical attention. Based on your findings, you will receive a recommendation regarding what, if any, follow-up is needed. If we believe that you have a serious condition, we will notify you by telephone as well as by registered letter.
- How can I get more information about this program or get some specific questions answered?
You can e-mail info@xrcmi.com or call XRC Medical Imaging’s Director of Operations at 574-243-4286.
- How can I schedule a Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Scan?
Call (574) 243-0100
Remember, sometimes what you don’t know, can hurt you.
Please schedule your scan today.
1 RSNA News, May 2006
2National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet, July 2000
3 University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics News & Publications, Summer, 2003
4Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville, Florida, September, 2003
5 University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Care website, 2006
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