A Lung Cancer Screening exam can find lung cancer in its early stages when it is still treatable, much as a mammogram can find breast cancer early. Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, mainly because the cancer is often not found until it is in its later stages.
Who qualifies for lung cancer screening?
- People age 50 or older with a smoking history of 20 pack-years
- People age 55 years or older with a smoking history of 30 pack-years
To determine a person’s pack years, multiply the number of packs smoked per day times the number of years they smoked.
Accredited Lung Cancer Screening Center
MANA Imaging is Arkansas’s only American College of Radiology Accredited Lung Cancer Screening Center.
The Radiologists at MANA Imaging and Pulmonologists at MANA Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic are part of the Northwest Arkansas Lung Cancer Alliance. The Center for Chest Care’s Lung Cancer Screening Program began in March of 2013 as a partnership between the physicians at Highlands Oncology, Cardiovascular Surgical Clinic of Northwest Arkansas, and Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas.
Schedule your FREE Lung Cancer Screening
MANA and The Center for Chest Care offer Lung Cancer Screening, normally $300 to $500, for FREE to those that qualify. This exam includes the screening CT, interpretation by a board-certified radiologist, and review of the results by lung specialists. If any abnormalities are found, all subsequent scans and/or tests should be covered by your insurance.
Schedule your free screening: 479-695-0081
Common Questions
Why is Lung Cancer Screening important?
Lung Cancer Screening is important since early-stage lung cancer often has no symptoms. Most lung cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage when it is causing symptoms, and this is why more people die from lung cancer each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined. There is an enormous benefit to detecting lung cancer at its early stages. Lung cancer can be detected with a low-dose CT scan. The CT scan only takes about five minutes – it’s quick, painless, and could save your life.
What to Expect
After being escorted to the CT area, you will be asked a few medical questions. While in the CT scanner, you will lie flat on your back with your arms above your head. A cushion for your knees and a blanket are provided. There is no preparation for this exam. You may eat and drink before your test. The test does not involve any intravenous injections. It’s quick, painless, and could save your life.
Because some delays are inevitable, we recommend you set aside 45 minutes for your appointment. The scanning process takes about five minutes, including the set-up and scan time.
Who interprets the scans?
A board-certified radiologist with special training and experience interpreting these tests will read your screening CT scan. An experienced team of lung specialists reviews the radiologist’s findings. These physicians have expertise in lung cancer and are committed to working together as a team to create a personalized plan for you.
How long will it take to get the results?
You will receive a call within one week of your scan. A letter explaining the results and a report of your CT will be mailed to you and your physician(s).
If lung cancer is suspected, you will be notified by phone immediately, and arrangements will be made to see one of our lung specialists at The Center for Chest Care.
Is screening right for me?
If you are 50 years or older, have a long history of smoking exposure to occupational or environmental cancer-causing substances, or have a family history of lung cancer, this screening could be right for you.
You are not eligible for this screening exam if you:
- have had a chest CT within the past 12 months
- are pregnant
- have a history of cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) within the past five years
A physician’s order is required for those not meeting the screening criteria. Please speak with your physician or call 479-695-0081 to schedule an appointment with a Chest Clinic pulmonologist (lung specialist) to discuss the risks and benefits of screening.