Lung Cancer Screening Frequently Asked Questions

Why is lung cancer screening important?

• Lung cancer causes more deaths in the United States than any other cancer – more than
  breast, cervix, colon, and prostate cancer combined.
• Lung cancer shows no signs of illness in its early stages.
• Most lung cancers found today are in a late stage.
• After symptoms occur, there is very little chance of curing the cancer.
• About 95 percent of the 173,000 people diagnosed each year die from the disease.
• When found early and treated with surgery, the cure rate is 92 percent (New England
  Journal of Medicine 2006: 355: 1763-1771).
• Screening before symptoms appear can lower the risk by as much as 20 percent.

Who should be screened for lung cancer?

• People who are at high risk for lung cancer.
• People who meet all the following should consider screening:
  • Age 50 to 77 (Most commercial insurances cover up to 80 years of age.)
  • Currently smoke tobacco products or have quit within the past 15 years and have at
    least a 20 pack year history of smoking.
  • To determine pack years multiply the number of cigarette packs they have smoked per
    day by the number of years they have smoked. For example: 1 ½ packs a day smoked
    over a 30-year period = 45 pack years.
  • Have a written order from your doctor or other provider.

What is lung cancer screening?

• Your chest is scanned with a special kind of X-ray, Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT). 
• LDCT takes high-quality pictures that can show many lung diseases and other problems.

LDCT lung screening is easy!

• The exam takes fewer than 10 minutes.
• No medicines are given and no needles are used.
• You can eat before and after the exam.
• You do not need to change clothes as long as the clothing on your chest does not contain metal.
• You must, however, be able to hold your breath for at least six seconds while the chest scan is taken.

Are there any risks?

• Your scan may show that you need more testing.
• These tests can cause anxiety and may lead to invasive procedures such as biopsy to further
  determine whether a finding is a cancer.
• LDCT Lung Screening involves exposure to radiation in the form of X-rays but uses up to 90
  percent less radiation than a regular chest CT scan. The benefit of a correct diagnosis far
  outweighs the risk.

Does my health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid cover lung cancer screening?

Most health insurance companies will pay for lung cancer screening as long as you are high-risk.

Will this test show other lung problems besides cancer?

LDCT can show lung infection, TB, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, thyroid nodules, brittle bones, and many other conditions.

How often should I be screened?

• Once a year if you remain at high risk.
• If problems are found, screening might be done more often.
• A negative scan (no nodules or cancer) does not mean that lung cancer will not develop in the future, especially if you stay at high risk for the disease.

I’m interested. How do I make an appointment?

If you meet the high risk standard, please ask your family doctor to see if you should have a lung cancer screening. If you need help finding a family doctor, please call UPMC in north central Pa. at 570-321-1000.

Why should I order a lung cancer screening for my patient?

Lung cancer results in more deaths in the United States than any other cancer; in fact, it accounts for more deaths than breast, cervix, colon, and prostate cancer combined. Because lung cancer has no symptoms in its early stages, more than 85% of the men and women who are diagnosed with lung cancer today are diagnosed in a late stage, after symptoms occur and when there is very little chance of cure. As a result, approximately 95 percent of the 173,000 people diagnosed each year die from the disease.

Results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) show 20 percent fewer lung cancer deaths for people screened with low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) than a with chest x-ray. With early detection, 85 percent ofcancers can be found in the earliest, most curable stage. If treated promptly with surgery, their cure rate is 92%. (New England Journal of Medicine 2006: 355: 1763-1771).

Does medical insurance cover screening?

All major commercial insurance companies began covering lung cancer screening on January 1, 2015. On February 5, 2015, Medicare/Medicaid started covering lung cancer screening.

What eligibility criteria need to be met in order to qualify for a lung cancer screening?

LDCT lung cancer screening should be ordered for high-risk individuals who:

1. Are age 50 to 77 years old (most commercial insurances cover through 80 years of age.)
2. Currently smoke tobacco products or have quit within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack year history of smoking. To determine pack years multiply the number of cigarette
   packs they have smoked per day by the number of years they have smoked. For example: 1½ packs a day smoked over a 30-year period = 45 pack years.
3. Asymptomatic. 

What are my responsibilities as the ordering provider?

1. Ensure the Lung Cancer Screening Order Form is complete and signed.
2. Please have your staff schedule an appointment by calling Lycoming Scheduling at 570-321-2545 or Tioga at 570-723-0165. Also, please give the patient the original Lung Cancer Screening Requisition Form to take with them to the Imaging Center.
3. The ordering provider is responsible to communicate screening results to the patient and schedule follow-up screenings. (The provider will receive follow-up reminders from UPMC.)
4. The ordering provider is responsible for obtaining a prior authorization if required.

For additional information about Lung Cancer Screening please contact Denise Clark in Lycoming County at 570-321-2524, or Chad Tennis in Tioga County at 570-723-0294.