What exactly is lung cancer screening?

• Screening is used to find early-stage lung cancer.
  • Early-stage lung cancers can often be cured by surgery.
• Lung cancer screening looks for early lung cancers using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). LDCT is a CT (“CAT”) scan that uses a fraction of the radiation of a regular chest CT.
• CT scans (and LDCT scans) are diagnostic imaging tests used to create detailed images of internal organs. They are fast, painless, noninvasive, and accurate.
• Lung cancer screening is recommended every year until you no longer have the risk factors asked in the online assessment on our Eligibility page.

Screening is NOT a reason to keep smoking

Regardless of your decision for screening or what we see on your LDCT, you should work with your health care provider to reduce your chance of getting lung cancer.

• It is strongly recommended that you stop smoking if you currently smoke.
• Don’t start smoking again if you have already quit.
• Stopping smoking is important even if you don’t have any signs that smoking has hurt your lungs.
• Stopping smoking also reduces your chances of getting heart problems and other diseases, and will improve your quality of life.
• Please view our Smoking Cessation Resources page to find help quitting smoking.

What to Expect During Your Lung Cancer Screening at USC