[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/11\/ct-lung-cancer-scans\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/11\/ct-lung-cancer-scans\/","headline":"Is a Lung Cancer Screening Scan Right For You?","name":"Is a Lung Cancer Screening Scan Right For You?","description":"To help identify lung cancer earlier in the process, you may undergo low-dose computed-tomographic (CT) screening. Learn more about this type of testing.","datePublished":"2017-11-06","dateModified":"2021-10-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC Hillman Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/hillman.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-hillman-cancer-center\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/112017BLG_CTSCREENING.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/112017BLG_CTSCREENING.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/11\/ct-lung-cancer-scans\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Lung Cancer"],"wordCount":388,"keywords":["imaging services","lung cancer","screening"],"articleBody":"Lung cancer can be a silent killer. For many people, this disease doesn’t show symptoms until it has already spread, which makes successful treatment all the more challenging.Visit the UPMC Lung Cancer Screening Program website.That’s one reason why lung cancer remains the leading cause of a cancer death among both men and women. An estimated one in four cancer deaths is the result of lung cancer \u2014 more than those from breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined.Early detection is key, particularly in people at high risk for lung cancer. To help identify lung cancer earlier in the process, you may undergo low-dose computerized tomography (CT) screening. This imaging test could help your doctor detect lung cancer before it spreads.CT Scans for Lung CancerCT scans combine x-rays with computer processing to produce a series of cross-sectional images of the body.Research suggests CT scans that use a low dose of radiation may help identify cancerous tumors at earlier stages.In 2011, UPMC took part in a large landmark study that looked at the effect of low-dose CT screening on people at high risk for lung cancer. The study found that using a low-dose CT scan of the chest could help to reduce deaths from lung cancer by up to 20 percent in high-risk patients. These results were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.The Right Choice? CT Lung ScreeningCould low-dose CT lung screening be right for you? Doctors may recommend this test to people at high risk for lung cancer, including those who:Are between the ages of 50 and 77*Have a 20-pack year history of smokingAre current smokers or have quit within the last 15 yearsAren’t currently being treated for cancerThis type of cancer screening requires a prescription. Your doctor can help determine whether you fit this criteria\u00a0and whether low-dose CT lung cancer screening is right for you. You’ll also want to check with your insurance carrier to confirm that this type of test is covered.UPMC offers low-dose CT scans as part of its Lung Cancer Screening Program. For more information, and to see a list of our conveniently located lung cancer screening sites, visit the UPMC Lung Cancer Screening Program website.*For UPMC Health Plan members. Other insurance carriers may have different eligibility requirements."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Is a Lung Cancer Screening Scan Right For You?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/11\/ct-lung-cancer-scans\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]