Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
What is an Ultrafast CT Lung Screening?
The Ultrafast Screening of the Lungs is a non-invasive CT scan that can detect abnormalities and lung cancer in its earlier, more curable stages using a new technique called helical low-dose CT scanning. The screening is far more accurate in finding lung tumors than a chest x-ray, the traditional diagnostic tool. It can find lung cancers when they are as small as the diameter of a soda straw, as compared with a chest x-ray that finds them when they are about the size of a quarter.
Why is there a need? What are the benefits?
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 2013 alone, the National Cancer Institute estimated that approximately 220,000 new cases of lung cancer were discovered, and that lung and bronchus cancer accounted for more than 150,000 deaths. That’s more than the number affected by colon, breast and prostate cancers COMBINED! The majority of cases are diagnosed at a very late stage, which offers a low survival rate of only 5 years after diagnosis.
Like mammograms have done for breast cancer, an Ultrafast CT Lung Screening offers you and your provider the opportunity to catch any concerns at a much earlier stage. This gives your provider time to make informed decisions, and offer you a wider variety of treatment options than what may otherwise have been available to you. The Ultrafast CT Lung Screening is being hailed as the next advancement in preventative care, and is receiving support from organizations and medical societies nationwide.
Is this exam covered by insurance?
Recently, Medicare and most commercial insurance companies have adopted a plan that will cover eligible, “high-risk” patients for a free exam once per year as part of their preventative services offering. Check with your insurance provider for specific coverage information.
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 a brief medical history questionnaire is completed upon your arrival, a technician will assist you into the machine – which is generally thought to be open and not claustrophobia-inducing. The scan will take less than 15 minutes, and consist of a series of pictures taken while you hold your breath at very short intervals.
How much radiation is used?
Ultrafast CT Lung Screenings are considered a low-dose procedure, using less than 1.5 ms. This is the equivalent to what you receive naturally from the earth in less than 6 months. In fact, the National Cancer Institute assesses the risk of not having the exam is 400% greater than the radiation risk.
Where can I get screened?
Radiology Regional Center is an experienced and trusted leader is Southwest Florida’s diagnostic healthcare. Their physicians and technologists are skilled in the use of CT technology for both screening and diagnostic purposes. They have also been designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology.
(239) 936-4068 . radiologyregional.com
Radiology Regional Center is pleased to offer you CT LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS!
If you…
You are eligible if you meet the following criteria:
• Are between the ages of 55-80 (or ages 55-77 for Medicare)
• Are a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
• Are asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer)
• Have an order from your healthcare provider
• Carry Medicare or one of the many insurance companies that cover this health screening
