Low-Dose CT

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women worldwide. Each year, more men and women die of lung cancer than of colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. However, of the 4 leading deadliest cancers in the U.S., lung cancer is the only one not subject to routine screening.

Research shows that low-dose CT scanning is the most successful at detecting lung cancer in individuals at risk. At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, our goal is to make this testing available to all people at high risk for lung cancer. We offer low-dose CT lung screening to current and former smokers who have no symptoms of lung cancer.

To qualify for low-dose CT lung cancer screening, you must meet the National Comprehensive Cancer Network high-risk criteria:

• Be 50 to 80 years old
• Currently a smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
• Have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years

Call 913-588-1227 to see if you qualify. A lung screening questionnaire will be completed over the phone to determine if you meet the NCCN high-risk criteria. If you do, we will schedule you for low-dose CT lung screening.

How to prepare

If you feel you may be at risk for developing lung cancer, call 913-588-1227 to see if you qualify to receive a low-dose CT scan. Our team will prescreen you over the phone to determine if you are at high risk for developing lung cancer. If you are, we will schedule your lung screening.

Contact your primary care physician to let her or him know you qualify and that we’ve scheduled you for a lung screening CT. Our nurse navigator can assist you with obtaining the order.

What to expect

For the screening, we will position you on the CT examination table, usually lying flat on your back. We may use pillows to correctly position you and help you remain still during the exam. We will ask you to hold your breath as the table moves slowly through the CT machine and we perform the scan.

Resources

While we are committed to offering this lifesaving technology, we continue to encourage everyone who smokes to quit. Quitting smoking is the best defense against lung cancer. We recommend several resources to help you stop smoking:

• National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service
• American Cancer Society Quit for Life® program
• Missouri and Kansas Quit Line: 800-QUIT-NOW or 800-784-8669
• KanQuit.org: Kansas Department of Health and Environment