A picture of your lungs could save your life.
It's no secret that smokers have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers, even years after quitting. If you are a current or former smoker, our low-dose CT lung cancer screening program may be right for you. This method of early lung cancer detection has been proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer death by 20 percent.
Early Lung Cancer Detection: How Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening Works
Typically, symptoms of lung cancer don't appear until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Our low-dose lung cancer screening program is the only recommended tool for detecting lung cancer in its earliest stage—before symptoms are noticeable. As with most cancers, early lung cancer detection offers the best opportunity for a cure.
Low-dose lung cancer screening involves getting a CT scan. CT scans take X-rays of your chest and lungs from different angles. The resulting detailed image allows doctors to find suspicious areas more easily.
CT scans are painless and quick. Your total appointment lasts around 15 minutes. A board-certified radiologist then looks at your scans and sends a written report to you and your referring physician.
Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines
Our lung cancer screening program follows the guidelines from the National Lung Screening Trial. It is recommended for adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who:
- Have a "20-pack-year" history of smoking. A pack year is the number of packs of cigarettes smoked daily, multiplied by the number of years smoking. (For example, one pack a day for 20 years, or 2 packs a day for 10)
- Meet the above criteria and currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years
- Have no symptoms or history of lung cancer
You can take an online assessment to determine if you're eligible for this lung screening. A doctor's referral is needed to schedule the CT scan.
While we tailor screening regimens to each person’s health and risk factors, some high-risk patients should be screened annually.
Lung Cancer Screening: The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Advantage
As the first and largest lung cancer screening program in the Lancaster region, we offer people an easy experience, peace of mind and a seamless transition to quality care if needed. We also offer resources and programs to help you quit nicotine for good.
You also experience:
- Skilled team: Our lung cancer screening team includes board-certified doctors who have completed the highest level of training at the best institutions in the U.S. They specialize in lung screenings, which ensures you receive the best possible screening plan and follow-up care.
- Experience: Our program is among the most experienced in the region. We’ve performed more than 11,000 CT scans and counting. Because we see so many lungs, we have the expertise needed to identify hard-to-find, smaller lung nodules. In fact, most cancers we find are in people who have not yet developed any lung cancer symptoms. This early detection helps them receive treatment when it’s most effective.
- On-site consultations: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cover your screening if you speak to a doctor about the benefits and risks ahead of time. To help you avoid extra visits and hassles, we have radiologists (doctors who specialize in medical imaging) on-site at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health locations throughout Lancaster County. These radiologists have the special knowledge needed for these conversations, so you can meet with them and get your CT scan during one visit.
- Superior technology: All our screening locations are equipped with high-quality CT scanners. This advanced technology allows radiologists to see tiny nodules that others might miss.
- Safety: Our lung cancer screening program is accredited by the American College of Radiology. This accreditation is the gold standard for medical imaging. It ensures we offer patients the highest level of image quality and safety, including lower radiation doses.
- Fast follow-up care: Lung cancer can spread quickly. If your scan reveals something concerning, we get in touch with you within 24 hours. Then we contact you within 48 hours to set up your follow-up appointment with a lung specialist (pulmonologist).
Thoracic surgeon Dr. David Cziperle discusses how lung cancer is different in men and women; symptoms to look for; and advanced treatment options available at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
Lung Cancer Screening at Your Convenience
To ensure your screening regimen does not add another item to your to-do list, we add it to ours. Here’s how:
Step 1: Initial Screening
Getting into our program is easy:
- If you have a Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health primary care doctor: When you’re eligible for lung cancer screening, your medical record alerts your Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health primary care doctor. Your doctor then talks to you about your personal risk and refers you into our program.
- If you do NOT have a Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health primary care doctor: Non-Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health providers can refer patients by faxing 717-544-3273.
- If you don’t have a primary care doctor: Choose a Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health primary care physician. Your doctor will refer you into our program when you’re eligible.
Step 2: Scheduling Screening Appointments
You can schedule screening appointments online through our MyLGHealth app or by phone at 717-544-5941. We offer screenings at seven locations throughout Lancaster County. Just pick the one most convenient for you.
Step 3: Follow-Up
Screening provides the most benefit when you get regular CT scans: Your doctors can catch cancers early, when they are most treatable. Your lung cancer screening nurse acts like a personal assistant, keeping track of your upcoming appointments, sending you reminders when needed and answering your questions.
Causes of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States—more than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. The greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer is smoking, and that risk increases the more cigarettes you smoke and the longer you smoke them.
But some people who have never smoked go on to develop lung cancer. Other causes of lung cancer include:
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Previous radiation therapy in the chest area
- Exposure to radon gas
- Exposure to asbestos and other cancer-causing agents, such as arsenic, chromium and nickel
- Family history of lung cancer
Is Low-Dose Lung Screening Covered by Insurance?
Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer is covered by a growing number of insurance plans. Check with your insurance company to find out if it is covered by your specific plan.
We also offer a discounted self-pay fee of around $300. The fee includes the:
- CT scan
- Interpretation and written report by a board-certified radiologist
- Follow-up reminder from the radiologist to you and your referring physician, when needed
Lung Cancer Screening Locations
Our locations offering lung cancer screening include:
- LG Health Columbia
306 N. 7th St., Columbia, PA 17512
- LG Health Downtown Pavilion
540 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602
- LG Health Kissel Hill
51 Peters Rd., Lititz, PA 17543
- LG Health Lebanon
1701 Cornwall Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042
- LG Health Norlanco
424 Cloverleaf Rd., Elizabethtown, PA 17022
- LG Health Parkesburg
950 S. Octorara Trail, Parkesburg, PA 19365
- LG Health Willow Lakes
212 Willow Valley Lakes Dr., Willow Street, PA 17584
Schedule a Lung Cancer Screening
To schedule a screening, you need a referral from your primary care physician. Then call 717-544-3273 to make an appointment.