Who should get lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan and is aimed at people at increased risk because of their smoking history — not the general public.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening with low-dose CT for people ages 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history and who either currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years. A 20 pack-year history could mean, for example, one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years.

NCI notes that the risk of lung cancer in people who have never smoked is generally so low that they'd be unlikely to benefit from screening. Your doctor can help you work out your pack-year history and whether screening is right for you.