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Lung screening
What to ask your doctor
Bring these questions to your appointments or keep them on your phone. You don’t need to ask them all—just pick the ones that make you feel prepared and supported.
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Before screening
- What medical history or risk factors will you review before deciding on screening?
- Will I need a physical exam before getting screened?
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Understanding the screening test
- Why is a low-dose CT scan recommended instead of a chest x-ray?
- How is lung cancer screening different from tests used when someone has symptoms?
- How often should I be screened if I’m eligible?
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Benefits and limits of screening
- How can lung cancer screening help find cancer earlier?
- What are the limits of screening—can it miss cancer or find things that aren’t cancer?
- What are the possible risks, including radiation exposure or additional testing?
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Choosing where to get screened
- Should screening be done at a specialized facility with experience in LDCT scans?
- Is there a screening center nearby that offers appropriate follow-up care?
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What to expect during screening
- What happens during a low-dose CT scan?
- How long does the scan and appointment usually take?
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After screening
- How and when will I get my results?
- If my results are normal, when should I repeat screening?
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If something abnormal is found
- What does it mean if the scan shows something abnormal?
- What kinds of follow-up tests might be needed, such as additional imaging or a biopsy?
- How often do abnormal findings turn out not to be cancer?
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Smoking and overall health
- If I still smoke, what support is available to help me quit?
- How does quitting smoking affect my lung cancer risk, even if I’m being screened?