Take Our Lung Cancer Risk Quiz and Determine Your Eligibility For Screening
Thanks to the latest advances in medical technology, there is new hope for patients and families at risk for lung cancer. Our screening eligibility quiz will let you know if you should talk to your doctor about being screened for lung cancer via low-dose CT scan. Screening is key to early detection — when lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage it is more likely to be curable.
Calculate how many pack years you have smoked.
A pack year is an estimation of the amount you smoked. So, if you smoked 20 cigarettes a day (one pack) for 20 years, your pack years equal 20. Or, if you smoked two packs a day for 10 years, your pack years equal 20.
You qualify for a low-dose CT scan.
You have smoked X cigarettes a day for X years, which is equivalent to X pack years.
You might be at risk for lung cancer. This scan could save you. While you should be taking precautions against COVID-19, given the critical importance of screening for lung cancer, please do not delay this conversation with your doctor. Talk to your doctor and decide whether you should set up a visit or explore remote telehealth options to discuss next steps about screening. Regardless of how you choose to have that conversation, here is a printable conversation guide to help you ask all the right questions.
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Private Insurance
Many, but not all, private health insurance plans cover lung cancer screening without cost-sharing, but eligibility criteria varies based on type of plan you have and many plans are currently updating their criteria to match new guidelines. Check out our coverage chart to learn more.
Medicare
Medicare covers screening for individuals 50-77 who have a 20 pack-year history of smoking AND are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years.
You currently do not meet the guidelines for low-dose CT screening.*
However, we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider about your risk for lung cancer.
Do you currently smoke? The best thing you can do for your health is quit. Visit Lung.org/freedom-from-smoking for quitting support through our online programs and in-person support groups. You can also contact us through the Lung HelpLine and Tobacco Quitline or call us at 1-800-LUNGUSA.
Want to stay connected? Sign up for email to learn the latest news about lung health, including research, lung disease, quitting tobacco, inspiring stories and more delivered directly in your inbox.
*As per U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or Medicare
