Low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung screening is offered at some Texas Health hospitals to people who may be at an increased risk for developing lung cancer. The screening programs offer individuals at risk for lung cancer the opportunity to screen and diagnose lung cancer before symptoms develop.

The National Cancer Institute supported the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) that proved screening people at high risk for lung cancer with low-dose CT scans reduces mortality from lung cancer by 20 percent.

Lung Cancer Screening Program

• Low-dose CT scan of the lungs – the entire chest area is scanned, which takes around 15 seconds
• Radiologist reviews the scan for signs of nodules that might indicate cancer

The lung cancer screening program also consists of lung nodule monitoring and lung nodule biopsies as needed. Learn more about lung nodule biopsies here.

Are you a candidate?

• Age 50-80
• No signs or symptoms of lung cancer
• Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years
• Current or former smoker who has quit smoking within the last 15 years

How to calculate pack year

You can calculate a pack year by taking the number of years you smoked and multiply that by the amount you smoked each day. For example, if you smoked 1 pack per day for 20 years = 20 pack years. You can also use this smoking calculator to calculate your pack year.