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:
- Scheduling: Most often, we will contact you to schedule a screening if you are eligible. You or your doctor also can call us to schedule a screening. Most insurance companies do not charge copay or deductible for the lung cancer screening.
- Informed decision-making meeting: The day of your screening, our dedicated nurse practitioners meet with a group of six to 10 patients at a time to explain the process and answer questions. Once we have answered all your questions, we’ll walk you to your screening.
- CT scan: The CT scan is quick and painless. It uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to create detailed images. You don’t have to worry about receiving too much radiation during screening. Our low-dose CT scan technology means you’ll experience about a quarter of the radiation emitted by standard CT scans.
- Results and follow-up: We will review your scan results and send the findings to your primary doctor. Your doctor will discuss your results with you. We’ll also share any other concerns we identify, such as potential heart or blood vessel problems.
- Additional tests: If the scan shows something suspicious, we may ask you to return for follow-up screening in a few months. If we spot an abnormality, our team can work with you to immediately schedule a positron emission tomography (PET) scan and other follow-up procedures.
- Ongoing screening: Screening for lung cancer is a process, not a single test. Individuals who qualify should have a yearly CT scan as long as necessary. We usually recommend annual screening until people have gone 15 years without smoking tobacco.
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.
Henry Ford Allegiance Health is committed to your long-term lung health, and we will follow up with your care after your lung screening. As part of our lung cancer screening program, one of our radiologists will review the results of your screening, based on recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®—a not-for-profit alliance of 25 of the world’s leading cancer centers. Your follow-up care may include periodic CT scans to monitor your lung health and ensure your highest quality of life.