Lung Cancer Screening Program

Being proactive about your respiratory health

Catching lung cancer early leads to the most success in treatment. Screenings help to detect cancer at an earlier stage before symptoms appear and can help prevent death from lung cancer. If you have a higher risk for developing lung cancer, you may benefit from a low-dose CT lung cancer screening.

Factors that put you at higher risk for lung cancer:

• Age 50 to 77
• Smoker or quit within the last 15 years
• Smoking history of at least 20 pack-years
  (1 pack/day for 20 years, 2 packs/day for 10 years, etc.)

Talk with Your Primary Care Provider
If one or more of these risk factors apply to you, talk with your primary care provider about whether you should be screened. The screening involves a low-dose CT scan that takes less than a minute. No needles or medications are needed, and there is only a minimal amount of radiation exposure. This screening can take place at St. Luke's Building A, St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Lake View Hospital in Two Harbors or Laurentian Medical Clinic in Mountain Iron.

Testing and Follow-up
After the test, your primary care provider will contact you with the results. If your scan is clear, annual low-dose CT screenings will be recommended. If there is a need for further testing or treatment, your primary care provider will help you move forward.

Insurance Coverage
The cost of screening for patients who qualify is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies.

Referral required for this service. If you need one, talk to your primary care provider.

To establish care with a St. Luke’s primary care provider, call 218.249.4000 or find a clinic near you.