Lung Cancer Screening, Southern Maryland

How to Prepare For a Lung Cancer Screening?

Follow your physician's medication instructions and the imaging center's preparation guidance.

• You typically do not need to do anything special to prepare for a lung scan. You may need to reschedule the test if you develop a respiratory infection or have recently recovered from one. Respiratory infections can show up on CT scans and lead to inaccurate results.

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your exam. You may need to change into a gown for the procedure.

How is a Lung Cancer Screening Procedure Performed?

• You will wear a gown but likely no other clothes.

• You lie flat on your back on the long table in the CT scan room. Your technologist will then go into the adjacent room where they can still see you and give you instructions for the exam.

• The table that you are lying on moves very slowly into a large, round-shaped machine, the CT scanner.

• When you are in the right position, the X-rays inside the scanner will rotate around you acquiring images of your lungs from many different angles. You may hear clicking or whirring sounds.

• Your technologist will ask you to remain still throughout the test. You may need to hold your breath briefly while all the images are being acquired.

• The actual lung exam typically lasts for about a minute or so.

What to Expect After a Lung Cancer Screening?

You can leave immediately and resume normal activities. Your exam will be read by a board-certified, sub-specialized radiologist. Results will be sent to your ordering health care provider.

Insurance For Lung Cancer Screening At American Radiology

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and most private insurance carriers recommend individuals who meet ALL of the following criteria to undergo annual Low-Dose CT (LDCT) Lung Cancer Screenings.