Lung cancer is responsible for more cancer deaths each year in the U.S. than any other type of cancer. One of the best ways to protect yourself from a poor outcome from this serious disease is to catch it as early as possible when it is most treatable. And one of the easiest ways to do that is with a quick and non-invasive low-dose CT scan.

Should everyone have this test as a precaution? It turns out that it’s not a test that should be done unless certain criteria are met. That’s because there’s a risk of false positives, which can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening, health professionals encourage you to get screened because it can save your life.

Who should get screened for lung cancer?

If you are between the ages of 50 and 80, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends you get an annual low-dose CT scan if you meet the following criteria, as long as you don’t have a health problem that severely limits your life expectancy or you are unwilling to have lung surgery if needed:

• You currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
• You have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history

To calculate your pack-year history, multiply the number of packs a day you smoke(d) by the number of years you have smoked. So, for example, if you smoked a pack a day for 20 years, you have a 20 pack-year history (1 x 20 = 20). If you smoked 2 packs a day for 10 years, you also have a 20 pack-year history (2 x 10 = 20).

You can also determine if you’re a candidate for lung cancer screening by taking our online risk assessment.

Do most smokers get screened for lung cancer?

According to a 2022 report from the American Lung Association, only about 6% of eligible people are regularly screened for lung cancer. Some people don’t get screened because they don’t even know the screening exists. Others don’t get screened because they don’t realize that if lung cancer is caught early, there’s a good chance it can be cured. Still others are concerned they may get a false positive result that requires more invasive testing. Although everyone has their own reasons for getting or not getting screened for lung cancer, it’s worth noting that a low-dose CT scan can potentially save your life.

If you’re unsure whether you are eligible to be screened, you are encouraged to talk to your doctor. Screening is easy, painless and only takes a few minutes. It is also covered by most insurance plans.

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