Lung Cancer Screening
Early Detection is Key. Screening Can Help.
Screening is helping us find lung cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable or even curable.
Lung cancer screening is a non-invasive test to look for nodules, or growths, in the lungs. It is done using a low-dose CT scan.
- Low Dose Radiation: This scan uses just 25% of the radiation in a standard CT scan.
- Quick & Non-Invasive: The procedure takes less than 30 minutes.
- Covered by Insurance: If you are at high risk for lung cancer, the test is covered by private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.
Common symptoms of lung cancer include a new cough that lasts for a long period of time, shortness of breath, wheezing and constant chest pain. However, most patients do not experience these symptoms until their cancer has reached stage 3 or stage 4.
Early stage lung cancer usually does not have symptoms. That's why screening is recommended for those with a high risk of lung cancer. It helps your doctor detect lung cancer at stage 1 or stage 2, when it can be most easily treated.
You may qualify for lung cancer screening if you:
- are between the ages of 50 and 80
- have a 20-pack year smoking history
- are a current smoker or quit within the past 15 years
- do not have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer
If you meet the above criteria, please contact your primary care provider to discuss getting a referral for a lung cancer screening exam at Middlesex Health.
If you do not have a primary care provider, you may call the lung nurse navigator at 860-358-2066 for more information.
Patient Spotlight: Kirk's Story
"Period. End of story. It saved my life."
-Kirk Davis, Lung Cancer Survivor
On May 8, 2014—the day Kirk Davis' first granddaughter was born—he received devastating news: he had lung cancer.
But there was good news, too. Kirk's cancer had been found through a low dose screening CT scan at Middlesex Health, and it was at an extremely early stage.
So early, in fact, that it could be treated with surgery alone—no chemo, no radiation. After just a two-day hospital stay, Kirk was able to go home and start spending time with his newest family member.
Kirk continued receiving annual screening, and in 2019, he was again diagnosed with lung cancer. It was an entirely new cancer, not related to his first.
But once again, thanks to early detection, Kirk was able to be treated with surgery alone. Today, he's back to spending time with the apple of his eye.
Screening Center of Excellence
The Middlesex Health Cancer Center is proud to be a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence.
This designation is from the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. It affirms our commitment to responsible, high-quality screening practices and our compliance with best-practice standards set by professional medical organizations.
At Middlesex Health, CT scans take place at our Diagnostic Imaging Centers. We have multiple convenient locations in Middlesex County.