Lung cancer cases in the United States have declined steadily over the past 50 years. That’s largely because people aren’t smoking cigarettes as much as they used to and those who were smokers found ways to quit.

Even with these encouraging trends, lung cancer remains the second-most common cancer in both men and women and is expected to claim nearly 136,000 American lives in 2020.
If you are – or used to be – a heavy smoker, then the worry of cancer is probably in the back of your mind. A low-dose CT scan could put you at ease.

What is a low-dose CT scan?

Low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT) is the recommended way of detecting lung cancer at early stages.
During this scan, you lie on a table while an X-ray machine makes detailed images of your lungs that can detect lung cancer before you ever notice symptoms. A clean scan can calm a worried mind and a low-dose CT scan can catch it at its earliest stage, when treatments are much more effective.

A free lung screening option for longtime smokers
We offer free low-dose CT scans to people who:

• Are 55 to 77 years old
• Smoke or smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 or more years, or two packs a day for 15 or more years
• Currently smoke or quit smoking in the last 15 years

The scan only takes a few minutes, is not painful and can detect cancer when it’s small and most treatable.

Schedule your free lung cancer screening

If you have questions about low-dose CT lung screening or would like to schedule your appointment, ask your doctor for a referral or call the Lung Screening program at (559) 244-LUNG (5864).