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Lung cancer screenings often involve a CT scan as part of a comprehensive physical workup. CT scans provide detailed, cross-sectional images of the lungs and the surrounding tissues/organs, and are capable of producing much higher-quality images than ordinary X-rays alone. By looking at a patient’s CT scan, a physician can check for any unusual lesions that might have started to develop in the lungs, then determine if any additional testing might be necessary.

Low-dose CT scans are safe and effective at identifying developments that could potentially be cancerous. As such, the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommends that people who meet the following criteria receive one each year as part of a lung cancer screening regime:

  • Anyone who is between the ages of 55 and 77, and
  • Has a 30 pack/year smoking history, and
  • Is a current smoker or has quit smoking within the past 15 years

At Moffitt Cancer Center, our Lung Cancer Screening and Surveillance Program offers yearly CT scans, along with other measures such as smoking cessation and tobacco treatment programs. If a patient’s lung CT scan indicates that cancer might be present, the images will be sent to our multispecialty tumor board for a detailed review. From there, we can help each patient determine if additional diagnostic testing, such as a tissue biopsy, should be performed. Moffitt’s lung cancer screening program is among the best in the nation, and for our efforts, we have been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance.

No referral is required for entry into our Lung Cancer Screening and Surveillance Program. To schedule your lung CT scan, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form.

Lung Cancer