Low-dose ct scan

Most people don't need routine lung cancer screening. It's only recommended for people who have a high risk for lung cancer.

Risk depends on things like your age, how much you have smoked in your lifetime, whether you still smoke, and, if you quit, how long it's been since you quit.

You may need to take off any jewelry, and some clothing, such as a bra. You will be given a gown to use during the test.

During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner.

The table slides into the round opening of the scanner, and the scanner moves around your body. The table will move while the scanner takes pictures. You may hear a click or buzz as the table and scanner move.

It is very important to lie still during the test.

You may be alone in the scanning room. But a technologist will watch you through a window and talk with you during the test.

In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.

Your doctor will likely get back to you with complete results in 1 or 2 days.

No growths (nodules) were found in your lungs.

• Next step:Another low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer in 1 year.

A nodule or nodules were found, but because of their small size, you don't need to do anything else right now.

• Next step:Another low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer in 3 to 6 months.

A nodule or nodules were found, and at least one of them is large enough for your doctor to talk to you about having more tests now.

• Next step:Your doctor may suggest any of these tests:
  • More scans, such as a CT scan or PET scan.
  • Bronchoscopy, which is a procedure that lets your doctor look into your airway.
  • Biopsy, which is the only way to diagnose cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor takes a sample of tissue from inside your lung so it can be looked at under a microscope.