Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of both men and women in the United States. UPMC in Central Pa. – a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence – is saving lives by offering screening for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Lung cancer screening looks for potentially cancerous spots in the lung called pulmonary nodules. Screening is best performed with a low-dose CT scan, which can detect nodules up to 10 times smaller than those that can be seen by x-ray. This type of screening offers the best chance of finding lung cancer in its earliest, most curable stages.

Who should be screened for lung cancer?

You should be screened if you are:

• Ages 50 to 77 (up to 80 years of age for most commercial plans)
• Current or former heavy smoker with at least 20 pack-years history of smoking
• No present symptoms of lung cancer, coughing up blood, or chest pain

Not sure if lung cancer screening is right for you? Talk to your doctor to discuss your options. A physician prescription is required.

What if a nodule is detected?

UPMC in central Pa. has a multidisciplinary Pulmonary Nodule Clinic in the central Pennsylvania region. The clinic boasts a team of skilled specialists – thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, interventional radiologists, and nurse practitioners – who will evaluate your condition, monitor the nodule for subsequent changes over a period of time, and manage your care and treatment if there is a cancer diagnosis. UPMC  in central Pa. has been recognized nationally by US News and World Report as a high performing hospital for 2019-20 for lung cancer surgery.

UPMC  in central Pa. is one of six hospitals in Pennsylvania – and the only hospital in central Pennsylvania – designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. The American College of Radiology (ACR) also recognizes UPMC  in central Pa.as a top quality provider of safe, effective diagnostic imaging for individuals at high risk for lung cancer. The Joint Commission and the American Cancer Society have both endorsed lung cancer screening as effective for preventing lung cancer deaths.

Contact Us

To schedule a Lung Cancer Screening, please ask your doctor for a prescription or call the Pulmonary Nodule Clinic at 717-988-5864 for an appointment.