Cancer Care (Do Not Delete)

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is an especially dangerous form of cancer. It begins when cells in your lungs begin to grow out of control.

Surviving lung cancer depends on an early diagnosis. The disease can spread through the lungs and into other parts of the body very quickly. If found early, lung cancer is highly curable.

Risk factors for lung cancer

There are several factors that increase your risk for developing lung cancer:

Tobacco use – People who smoke are at an increased risk for lung cancer. Research suggests that the more cigarettes you smoke each day further increases your risk. Quitting tobacco — no matter your age — can lower your risk for lung cancer.
Being around people who smoke – Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke — even if you do not smoke yourself — increases your risk for lung cancer. People who live with smokers are at a higher risk for lung cancer.
Exposure to carcinogens – Carcinogens are substances known to cause cancer. Asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel and other substances increase your risk for lung cancer.
Family history – If you have a parent, sibling or child who developed lung cancer, you are at greater risk for the disease.
Breathing radon gas – Radon gas comes from the breakdown of radioactive elements in the soil. It can contaminate the air of closed spaces, including homes and workplaces.

Some of the above risk factors you can control. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself is quit smoking with Get Healthy, Live Well's Freshstart.

Lung cancer screening

People who are at increased risk for lung cancer should be screened. Tanner offers a simple, painless screening that can find lung cancer in its earliest stages.

Low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer

Low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer use a small amount of X-ray radiation to screen your lungs. It requires no needles, medication or contrast. No doctor order is needed to schedule a screening.

The screening positions you in a CT scanner and uses X-rays to take a series of images of your lungs. The images allow doctors to see if lung cancer is present.

Low-dose CT for lung cancer is not a one-time test — annual screening for people at risk for lung cancer ensures that cancer can be detected in its earliest stages when it’s still highly curable.

Cost for lung cancer screening

Medicare and some private insurers cover the cost for low-dose CT screening for lung cancer.

If you are self-pay, the cost of a screening is $289. We will lower the cost to $116 if you can pay in full at the time of the service. (The cost does not include the $215 radiologist fee to interpret the screening.)

Our Patient Financial Assistance program can work with you to ensure the screening is affordable.

Should you be screened for lung cancer?

Consider receiving a low-dose CT screening for lung cancer if:

You are between 50 to 80 years old
You have a history of smoking tobacco
You currently smoke tobacco
You stopped smoking within the past 15 years
You have pulmonary fibrosis or COPD
You have been exposed to any of the carcinogens described above

Use this tool from our Health Library to learn more about your risk for lung cancer.

person in gray t-shirt with image of lungs

Talk to your doctor today

Speak with your primary care provider to discuss if a low-dose CT screening is right for you. A physician's order is required for the low-dose CT.

Need a primary care provider?

Find a primary care provider

Symptoms of lung cancer

Symptoms of lung cancer can include:

A persistent cough
Trouble breathing or catching your breath
Coughing up blood
Changes in your voice (hoarseness)
Headaches and swelling in your neck, face or arms

Any of these symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider. They can best help you decide is a screening is needed.

Treating lung cancer

At Tanner, we offer a fast, aggressive approach to treat lung cancer. You may require:

Surgery, to remove the cancer from the lung. Learn about surgery at Tanner.
Radiation therapy, to kill cancer cells. Learn about our radiation therapy care.
Chemotherapy or immunotherapy, to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing. Learn about our advanced medical oncology program.
Targeted therapy, using the latest medicines to battle your specific type of cancer.

With Tanner Cancer Care, you also have access to our robust network of support. We’re committed to helping you and your loved ones overcome cancer and get on with living.