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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Lung Cancer Screening CT Exam?
Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT takes pictures of the lungs to look for potentially cancerous spots in people with higher risks for developing lung cancer. CT images are better at finding abnormalities than a traditional chest X-ray. The CT scanner utilizes a small dose of radiation that poses a very slight risk of causing cancer. In fact, the amount of radiation you’ll receive during your Lung Cancer Screening CT Exam is less than the amount you already receive annually from naturally occurring radiation that’s present in your environment. UT Southwestern offers state-of-the-art imaging services accredited by the American College of Radiology.

What is the benefit of lung cancer screening?
A key to successful treatment of lung cancer is early detection of the disease. The primary purpose of this CT screening exam is to detect and diagnose lung cancer at an early stage in order to improve the treatment effectiveness and options available. The images we acquire will be reviewed for the presence of lung nodules, masses, or other abnormalities suspicious for lung cancer. If treatment is needed, and you don’t currently have a provider, consider UT Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated cancer center in Dallas. UT Southwestern’s Imaging Services is also the only NCI-designated center for Quantitative Imaging Excellence in Dallas.

Who should consider a Lung Cancer Screening CT Exam?
The screening is recommended for patients 55 years of age or older who smoke or who have a history of smoking. Screening remains an individual decision that should be discussed with a health care provider who can assist you in weighing the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Is there a downside to lung cancer screening?
CT scans can potentially pick up spots in the lungs that are ultimately revealed to be not cancerous, but their presence may lead to anxiety about the findings. The process to determine if these spots are benign or malignant can include additional procedures to help diagnose the findings and, in a small percentage of cases, may involve surgeries that would otherwise not be recommended. Also, the small dose of radiation from the exam poses a small and probably negligible risk of causing cancer.

Will my insurance pay for the screening CT?
Currently, CT Screening is an out-of-pocket expense that is not covered by most health insurance carriers. However, this may change in the future as more clinical trials prove the effectiveness of low-dose CT screening in decreasing cancer mortality rates.

What can I expect during my exam?
During your exam you will be lying flat on the CT table while the scanner rotates around you, gathering images of the inside of your lungs. The CT images provide the radiologist with detailed information that will be used to detect and diagnose disease. The entire screening exam typically requires a single breath hold and is usually completed in less than 10 seconds.

How will I get my results?
A UT Southwestern Radiologist will interpret the exam. The results will be provided to both you and the physician you designate when scheduling your appointment for the screening. As a follow-up to your exam, you can call the Lung Cancer Screening Program at 214-645-8300 to schedule an appointment to discuss the findings with our UT Southwestern Pulmonary Physician Specialists. (Although this appointment is not included in the screening fee, we can check to confirm coverage by your health insurance provider.)