Lung Cancer Screening

Lung Cancer Screening at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham

If you were — or are — a heavy smoker, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham offers a special screening program that can help you better understand your risk of developing lung cancer. Our program uses low dose computed tomography (CT) scans to find cancer early, even before you have symptoms.

Screening with low-dose CT scans has been shown to reduce your risk of lung cancer mortality. Plus, early detection of lung cancer increases your chances of successful treatment.

Is a Lung Cancer Screening Right for Me?

You should consider a lung cancer test if you:

• Are a current or former smoker who quit within the past 15 years
• Are between the ages of 50 and 80
• Have a history of smoking one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years

Common Lung Cancer Warning Signs

Every case of lung cancer is unique, which means your symptoms might not look like someone else’s. In some cases, you might not notice symptoms until the later stages of the disease. Some common warning signs include the following:

• Coughing that gets worse or won’t go away
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Unexpected weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Frequent respiratory infections

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, talk to your primary care physician about screening for lung cancer.

Expert Detection & Prevention Tool

The American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force support annual screenings for people at high risk for lung cancer. BID Needham uses best practices for CT scanning, which includes using low dose scans to minimize your radiation exposure.

Paying for Lung Cancer Screening

Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurers do not yet cover the cost of this exam. This policy may change as the value of screenings impacts the success of treatment. In cases where insurance does not cover costs, patients at BID Needham pay $285 out-of-pocket for the screen, test results and follow-up consultation with a member of our thoracic team.