UR Medicine Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung cancer screening is the non-invasive process of looking for a disease such as cancer in people who don’t have symptoms. Screening uses a Low Dose CT scan (LDCT) to look closely at the lungs each year. Research has shown that using LDCT scans to screen people at higher risk of lung cancer saves lives.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for lung cancer screening if you meet all of the following:

• Between the ages of 50 and 80
• Currently smoke cigarettes OR quit smoking cigarettes within the last 15 years
• Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (this can be further discussed/reviewed upon contacting the Lung Cancer Screening Program)
• Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer

If you do not meet all of the above criteria for the Lung Cancer Screening Program, we encourage you to please either:

• Contact your primary care provider (PCP) to discuss your concerns and alternative options.
• Contact the Pulmonary Clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital at (585) 275-4161 if you would like to schedule a general pulmonary appointment.

Why Screening Matters

In the United States, lung cancer may be the second most common cancer in men and women, BUT lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer.

If lung cancer is found at an earlier stage, when it is small and before it has spread, it is more likely to be successfully treated.

Usually symptoms of lung cancer do not appear until the disease is already at an advanced stage. Even when lung cancer does cause symptoms, many people may mistake them for other problems, such as an infection or long-term effects from smoking. This may delay the diagnosis.

Current and former smokers are at a higher risk of getting lung cancer.

If You Think You Should Be Screened

You are in the right place! We are here to help make the process easier.

You can speak to your primary care provider to determine if lung cancer screening is right for you.

Alternatively, you can contact our lung cancer screening clinic directly at (877) 728-4543 or email ctlungscreening@urmc.rochester.edu.  Screenings are available throughout our system, including Jones, Noyes, St. James and Thompson hospitals.

Annual lung cancer screening CT examinations are typically fully covered by health care insurance without co-payments. Additional details about insurance coverage can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.