Lung cancer can happen to anyone, but most often, it's people who smoke tobacco products such as cigarettes, all forms and flavors of cigars, and hookah (water pipe) tobacco, who are at greater risk. Contact us, or have your doctor call us, to arrange a LDCT scan if you meet the following criteria:

1. 50 – 80 years of age.
2. Currently smoke cigarettes or have quit within the past 15 years.
3. Smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, OR smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 10 years.
4. Have no symptoms of lung cancer (cough, pain, weight loss, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath).

What else can increase my risk of developing lung cancer?

You should also consider a lung cancer screening if you have at least one additional risk factor that compromises your lung health, such as:

• Personal history of cancer (head and neck cancer, breast cancer, or lymphoma)
• Family history of lung cancer – a close blood relative (parent, brother, sister, or your child) has or had lung cancer.
• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Interstitial lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis)
• Exposure to asbestos for many years
• Asbestos-related lung disease or pulmonary asbestosis
• Long term exposure to airborne particles and fumes, certain metals, toxic chemicals, or radioactive elements such as arsenic, silica, diesel engine fumes, coal smoke, soot, cadmium, nickel, beryllium, chromium, radon, or uranium.

Do I need to have been a smoker to get a lung screening?

According to the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend lung cancer screening for people who have never smoked because the possible harm from the screening outweighs the benefits (finding lung cancer early). However, even though you may never have smoked, if you are concerned about your lung health, talk with your doctor about whether a lung cancer screening is an option.

You may want to consider a lung screening if you have been exposed to:

• Secondhand smoke
• Radon gas
• Air pollution
• Genetic factors
• Compounds or chemicals in your workplace

Nationwide, there is an increase in new lung cancer cases among people who are not smokers; it is higher in women (19%) compared to men (9%). Most of the lung cancers in never-smokers are non-small cell lung cancers, the most common type of lung cancer. Adenocarcinomas that begin in cells lining the lung’s air sacs and produce mucous make up 50%-60% of lung cancers in never-smokers.

Lung Cancer Resources

• Take the lung screening survey: Free online screening tool offered by The American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative.
• Who should be screened for lung cancer?: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about who should be screened, screening risks, when to stop screening, and insurance and Medicare coverage.
• Tobacco Cessation Program: Call 706-721-4356 or email stopsmoking@augusta.edu

The day of your scan:

The scan takes only a few minutes and is not painful. 

• Go to Radiology for your screening, located on the 2nd floor of MCG Health Medical Center, and check in at the registration desk.
• Complete all necessary paper work.
• A staff member will take you to the room where the LDCT scanner is located.
• A x-ray technician will provide instructions.
• During the scan, you will lie on a table and an image of your chest will be taken by x-ray machine using a low amount of radiation to get a detailed picture of your lungs.

After the scan is complete:

• Scans are reviewed by a radiologist at MCG Health
• The results are sent to your doctor.
• Positive findings of lung disease or cancer will require follow-up.
• Negative findings (no sign of cancer) will be sent to the referring physician and to you.
• Patients at risk for lung cancer who have a negative screening result should consider reducing their risk behaviors, such as quitting smoking.
• Yearly LDCT scans for people with lung cancer risks are recommended.

Use a “buddy system”

To boost support and increase your likelihood of following through with your lung cancer screening, consider engaging a friend or family member who also has risks for lung disease as a ‘screening buddy.’ A separate appointment will be needed for each person getting screened.

Is my lung cancer screening covered by Medicare or insurance?

Since 2015, Medicare pays for annual lung cancer screenings. For lung screenings to be covered by Medicare or Medicaid, you must:

1. Meet the screening criteria described above.
2. Have a physician’s referral. 
3. Participate in counseling around lung health and smoking cessation.

Most private or corporate health insurances also cover lung cancer screenings for people who qualify. Check with your insurance company.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

You will need a doctor’s referral if you use Medicare or Medicaid health insurance.

Non-CMS patients do not need a doctor’s referral for lung screening, but it is best to check with your insurance company to see if the lung screening is covered.

• Outside Physician Referral Order

Do I need health insurance?

Health insurance is not required, but the patient is responsible for paying for the cost of the lung screening. The cost is about $350 for a LDCT scan. If you are not filing with health insurance to pay for your screening, your cost is $205.

If you have health insurance, check with your insurance company about what is required for the LDCT scan to be covered.