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 50 and 77 years of age*
• Have at least a 20 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

*For patients who are UPMC Health Plan members. Other insurance carriers may have different eligibility requirements.

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.

Additional Resources

• Pulmonary and Respiratory Services at UPMC
• UPMC Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute
• UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
• Lung Cancer Alliance
• Lung Cancer Screening Resources
• UPMC Health Plan
• Need help to quit smoking? See our list of smoking cessation resources.

Lung Cancer Study

Learn more about the lung cancer study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Read the study »

John Davis: Lung Cancer Screening Patient Story

John Davis participated in the Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study (PLuSS), which led experts at UPMC Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute to diagnose his lung cancer at an early stage and perform lung resection surgery to remove it.

Read John's story»

Mary Zanotto:  Lung Cancer Screening Patient Story

Despite receiving a lung cancer diagnosis, Mary was grateful that a low-dose CT scan revealed the cancer at an early stage. After undergoing a minimally invasive procedure, she's feeling healthy and has improved quality of life.

Read Mary's Story »