Shannon Naumann, a nurse practitioner for the Lung Cancer Screening Clinic, provides an overview of the program and why early detection is so important.
Lung Cancer Screening
Early detection can save lives, especially for current and former smokers.
If you are a current or former smoker, you’re at risk for lung cancer. If doctors find the disease early, when the tumor is located only in the lungs, up to 75 percent of people survive five years or more. Many of these patients are cured.
The gold standard for identifying lung cancer early uses computed tomography (CT) scans. Henry Ford Health was part of a national study that found CT lung screening reduced the chance of dying from lung cancer by 20 percent, compared with chest X-ray screening.
Should I have a CT scan to check for lung cancer?
We work with you and your doctor to see if early-detection screening makes sense for you. Not all current or former smokers need a CT scan to screen for lung cancer. We recommend CT scans for people who:
- Are 50 – 77 years old
- Have no signs or symptoms
- Have smoked at least a pack a day for 20 years or more (20 pack-years), or the equivalent (for example, you may have smoked two packs a day for 10 years)
- Are a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years
- Have not had a chest CT scan within the last 12 months
Henry Ford’s Lung Cancer Screening Clinic
- Detroit or Southeast Michigan patients: (313) 916-1275
- Jackson or South Central Michigan patients: (517) 205-2388
Henry Ford's specialized Lung Cancer Screening Clinic screens people to identify potential lung cancer as early as possible.
The clinic brings patients together with pulmonologists, nurse practitioners, nurses and smoking cessation counselors. We work together with radiologists, oncologists, surgeons and other cancer specialists to help you manage your health condition and achieve your health goals.
Not everyone needs to be screened for lung cancer. Find out if you're at risk and need to schedule a screening.
Meet the criteria?
Contact our team, and we’ll schedule an appointment for you.
Vic Thompson is cancer-free after early-stage lung cancer is detected and removed.
What is involved with having a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer?
We offer a comprehensive screening process, centered on your needs. Generally, it involves:

Lung cancer can be revealed by a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening.
Get help to quit smoking
The No. 1 way to reduce your risk for lung cancer is not to smoke tobacco. If you already use tobacco, you can lower your lung cancer risk if you quit smoking.
Ready to quit? Our tobacco treatment services can start you on the journey to a tobacco-free life.
Are you eligible for lung cancer screening?
If you have questions about eligibility or want to learn more, call us at (313) 916-1275 or contact our team.