Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but screening can help find cancer early, before symptoms develop and when treatment may be more effective. Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan, a quick and painless imaging test that looks for signs of lung cancer in people at higher risk.

If you have a history of smoking, lung cancer screening may be right for you. At OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, we make the process simple and provide expert care, support and follow-up every step of the way.

Who Is Eligible for a Lung Cancer Screening?

A low-dose lung cancer screening, also known as a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan, is a specialized test used to detect early signs of lung cancer. To be eligible for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Are 50 years old and older; and
• You smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years; and
• You have a history of heavy smoking (For example: An average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years)

The low-dose CT lung cancer scan has been shown to improve survival by 20 percent according to The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Insurance & Payment

Most insurance plans will cover the cost of lung CT screening if you meet the eligibility criteria. For those without insurance who still qualify, there may be opportunities to cover this cost through grants or through self-pay.

What To Expect from a Lung Scan

A low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening is a quick and non-invasive procedure designed to detect early signs of lung cancer. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Preparation: You don’t need to make any special preparations. You can eat, drink, and take your medications as usual. You also don’t need to change your clothes unless they have metal objects over the chest area.
2. The Procedure: During the scan, you’ll lie on a table that slides into the CT scanner. The machine uses a low dose of radiation to create detailed images of your lungs. The scan itself takes only a few minutes and is painless.
3. After the Scan: There’s no recovery time needed. You can go about your day immediately after the screening. Our healthcare provider will review the images and discuss the results with you.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but early detection can save lives. If you qualify, annual lung cancer screening can help find cancer before symptoms develop. Get screened at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City or at a mobile lung cancer screening event near you.

Mobile Lung Cancer Screening

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, in partnership with the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), brings lung cancer screening closer to home through a mobile screening unit that travels across Oklahoma. Using the same quick, painless low-dose CT scan as in our building, the mobile unit helps eligible adults access potentially lifesaving screening in their communities.

The OU Health mobile lung cancer screening bus is staffed by compassionate and patient-centered imaging technicians. These specialists work in collaboration with a larger team of lung cancer diagnostic experts, including radiologists especially trained in the detection of lung cancer.