Lung Cancer Screening Can Find Cancer Early – Keeping You Healthy Later
11/2/2026
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Posted by Fidelis Care
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Caregiver Support,
Health and Wellness
The upcoming holidays bring us together with the people we care about. It’s a time to think about happy memories and look forward to making more.
November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Take time to think about your health and the special moments you want to enjoy in the years ahead.
If you smoke or used to smoke, talk to your healthcare provider about lung cancer screening.
Why Is Lung Cancer Screening Important?
Lung cancer kills more people than any other type of cancer. Smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer.
Finding lung cancer early can make a big difference. Do not wait until you feel sick to ask about screening. Screening can find lung cancer before you have pain or problems breathing, when treatment may work better.
Who Should Get Screened?
Lung cancer screenings are covered by Medicaid and by Medicare for people up to 77 years old if all three of the following are true:
- You are 50 to 80 years old.
- You smoke now or quit within the past 15 years.
- You have a smoking history of 20 “pack-years” or more.
What is a "pack-year"? Pack-years are the average packs of cigarette you smoke each day multiplied by the number of years you smoked. One pack-year means smoking about one pack of cigarettes a day for one year. Smoking one pack a day for 20 years (1 x 20) equals 20 pack-years. Smoking two packs a day for 10 years (2 x 10) also equals 20 pack-years.
What Happens During Lung Cancer Screening?
The screening test is called a low-dose CT, or LDCT, scan. During the scan, you lie on a table. An X-ray machine takes pictures of your lungs. The scan takes only a few minutes and does not hurt.
How Do I Get Screened?
Start by talking with your healthcare provider. They can look at your age and smoking history and help you decide if screening is right for you. If you choose screening, your provider can send you for a low-dose CT scan.
If you smoke now, you can also ask your provider for help quitting. Medication and counseling are available to help you quit.
SOURCES:
New York State Department of Health: Lung Cancer Screening
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Lung Cancer: Screening
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Screening for Lung Cancer
American Cancer Society: Lung Cancer