Lung Cancer Screening

CHI Memorial’s Breathe. Easy. mobile lung CT coach allows us to take low-dose CT lung screening out into our communities and reach people who may not have access or the opportunity to get this scan otherwise. The primary purpose of a lung screening is to look at the lungs for any nodules, masses, or lung cancer. Our screening also captures an image of the heart to calculate a cardiac calcium score which can help people understand their risk for heart disease or heart attack. In addition, the image typically includes a majority of the chest cavity, so a number of incidental findings have been identified during this screening as well (i.e gallstones, thyroid masses, etc).  

When lung cancer is detected at an early stage, there is a significant increase of survival. Please call us at (423) 495-5864 if you have any questions. 

• Age 50-80 years old (Medicare patients 50-77 years old)
• Current cigarette smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
• Have > 20 pack year history (1 pack per day for 20 years, 2 packs per day for 10 years, etc.)
• Asymptomatic (no signs/symptoms of lung cancer)
• Patient has not had a chest CT in the last 12 months

Insurance/Grant

Most insurance plans cover the cost of lung CT screening if you meet the criteria. If you don’t have insurance and meet the criteria, we offer grants to cover the cost of screening.

Self-pay

If you don’t meet the criteria to be screened and you are 40 years of age or older, we offer a $150 self-pay option, a significant savings for lung CT screening.

Low-cose CT lung scan

A low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan shows a 3-D image of the lungs that is clearer and more detailed than regular x - rays, allowing doctors to diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stage, before there are any symptoms. Lung cancer symptoms do not usually occur until the cancer is advanced and may include persistent cough, sputum streaked with blood, chest pain, voice change, worsening shortness of breath, and recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis.

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). 

Register

To register for a low-dose CT lung screening or to schedule the Breathe Easy Coach for an event, call (423) 495-5864 (LUNG).

Dr. Rob Headrick discusses lung cancer and how providing mobile low-dose CT lung screening is helping to save lives.