CancerExplained.org · Free health handout
Lung Cancer Screening
Who qualifies for a yearly low-dose CT scan
You may qualify if all three apply
- You are 50 to 80 years old.
- You have a 20 pack-year smoking history (for example, 1 pack a day for 20 years, or 2 packs a day for 10 years).
- You smoke now or quit within the past 15 years (the American Cancer Society includes former smokers regardless of quit date).
What to know about the test
- A low-dose CT scan is quick, painless, and uses a small amount of radiation.
- Screening is yearly — one scan is not a lifetime pass.
- Most abnormal findings are not cancer, but they may need follow-up tests.
- Screening works best alongside quitting, not instead of it.
Lower your risk too
- Quitting smoking at any age lowers lung cancer risk — free help: 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
- Test your home for radon, the leading cause of lung cancer in people who never smoked.
- Keep homes and cars smoke-free — there is no safe level of secondhand smoke.
If you're 50–80 with a significant smoking history, ask your doctor: "Do I qualify for lung cancer screening?"
This handout is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about what is right for you.
Sources: USPSTF: Lung cancer screening · NCI: Lung cancer screening. Updated 2026-07-04.
Learn more in plain language: https://cancerexplained.org/screening/lung-cancer-screening/ — free to copy and share for non-commercial education.