Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
CT Lung Screening is a non-invasive CT scan that can detect abnormalities and lung cancer in earlier, more curable stages. CT Lung Screening is far more accurate in finding lung tumors than a chest x-ray, the traditional diagnostic tool. It can find lung cancers as small as a grain of rice compared to a chest x-ray, which detects them when they are roughly the size of a quarter.
What are the benefits of screening for lung cancer?
Lung cancer is widely known to be the third most common form of cancer in the United States but is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In fact, Lung Cancer has claimed more lives in America than colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer combined.
Without early detection screening, over 95% of lung cancer patients eventually die from the disease, usually within a few years of diagnosis.
CT Lung Screening offers you and your physician the opportunity to catch any concerns at a much earlier stage. Early diagnosis gives your physician time to make informed decisions and provide you a wider variety of treatment options than what may otherwise have been available to you.
What should I expect from the exam?
There are no dyes, no needles, no fasting, and no pain. There is absolutely no advanced prep needed for this exam. After completing a brief medical history questionnaire, a technologist will assist you on the CT table. The scan will take less than 15 minutes and consists of a series of pictures taken while you hold your breath at very short intervals. The CT scanner is open, spacious, and should not be claustrophobia-inducing.
Does insurance cover this exam?
Medicare and most insurance companies are now covering this exam for ELIGIBLE, “high-risk” patients once per year as part of their preventative services offerings. Check with your insurance provider for specific coverage information.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible if you meet ALL of the following criteria:
• Between the ages of 55-77
• Show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer
• Current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years
• Smoked the equivalent of one pack per day for 30 years You will need an order from your healthcare provider.
If you are not eligible, you can still have the exam, but you must self-pay. In this instance, you do not need an order from your healthcare provider. The self-pay rate is only $245 and is due at the time of service.
Can I still have the exam if I don’t have insurance?
Yes, we offer this exam to self-pay patients for just $245 at the time of service.
How much radiation is used for this exam?
CT Lung Screening is a low-dose procedure, using less than 3 mGy. This radiation amount is equivalent to what you receive naturally from the earth in less than six months. The National Cancer Institute assesses the risk of not having the exam is 400% greater than the radiation risk.
Why should I choose Radiology Regional?
Radiology Regional is a physician-owned, well-established imaging practice with over 45 board-certified radiologists that work closely with your doctor. You will get personalized service and expertise in a warm, comfortable environment, which is not always offered with a big group or hospital-owned organization. Radiology Regional also provides the newest technological advances. Their superior imaging equipment includes 3T wide-bore MRI, 256 Slice CT, 3D Mammography, Nuclear Medicine, PET Scans, and Siemens ultrasound. Radiology Regional is a premier diagnostic facility that takes pride in offering the highest quality healthcare to the community.
At Radiology Regional, they take your health personally. They have a group of in-house, subspecialty, fellowship-trained radiologists that are experts in diagnosing and detecting conditions within the abdominal and pelvic areas, including the prostate. The machines they invest in are not standard; these are state-of-the-art, high-tech imaging equipment that can find even the most intricate details that would otherwise be missed.
Radiology Regional has a high-resolution prostate MRI to find small prostate cancers, a dynamic MRI to diagnose pelvic organ prolapse, MRI technique to accurately stage rectal cancer for surgical planning, specific protocol to best evaluate the ovaries and uterus and another MRI technique to focus on the bones and muscles, among several others. All imaging exams are not equal, and Radiology Regional goes above and beyond to offer high-quality studies to help guide medical management.
For over 50 years, Radiology Regional has expanded its scope of services and number of outpatient facilities to meet the growing needs of their patients and referring physicians. Radiology Regional has thirteen, ACR accredited and convenient locations to serve you. Their dedicated team of board-certified radiologists, registered technologists, and other specialists are committed to providing their patients with exceptional care utilizing the most advanced technology and techniques available.
Radiology Regional has 13 locations in 3 counties, Lee, Collier and Charlotte. Ask your physician to refer you to Radiology Regional for your imaging needs.
Contact Radiology Regional today at (941) 255-7945, (239) 425-4678 (Español)
