UPMC Lung Cancer Screening Program

Low-Dose CT Scan Lung Cancer Screening

A landmark study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, and in which UPMC was a contributor, showed that lung cancer screening using a low-dose CT scan of the chest can reduce mortality from lung cancer by up to 20 percent for eligible, high-risk individuals. Since lung cancer typically shows no symptoms until the disease has spread, screening can help ensure early detection.

UPMC Imaging Services offers eligible candidates easy access to lung cancer screenings through the UPMC Lung Cancer Screening Program. CT scans take only a few minutes, and results are read by a multidisciplinary team of medical experts, including board-certified radiologists. Should your scan reveal an abnormality, you have access to comprehensive cancer care through the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center network.

Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the UPMC Lung Cancer Screening Program, patients must:

• Be between 55-77 years of age (some commercial insurers cover until age 80; check with your insurance provider)
• Have a 30 pack-year history of smoking (one pack per day for a year is equivalent to one pack year)
  
• Be a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
• Not be in treatment for cancer

Is Lung Cancer Screening Right For You?

This shared decision-making tool will give you the facts about lung cancer screenings, and help you learn more about your options, benefits, and risks of participating in the program. Contact your health care provider with any questions about the tool or to discuss your summary. Physician referral is required, so talk to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.

Where We Offer Lung Cancer Screenings

UPMC offers convenient access to lung cancer screenings throughout our network. Once you schedule your appointment, a patient navigator will follow up with you to review a series of questions and ensure that this program is appropriate for you.

To help guarantee that you’re receiving the highest-quality services regardless of which of our sites you visit, UPMC Health Plan designated each of these sites as a Center of Excellence. Please call your preferred location to make an appointment or for more information about lung cancer screenings.

Research

UPMC is a leader in lung cancer research. Findings from the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study (PLuSS) led the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce to recommend lung cancer screenings in appropriate patients. To find out if you’re eligible for PLuSS, call 412-623-3319.