In Canada, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death
WHEN IT COMES TO LUNG CANCER, EARLIER DETECTION MEANS BETTER PROGNOSIS
What is Low Dose CT for Lung Cancer Screening?
Utilizing the lowest radiation possible, a specialized x-ray machine, and computer software, CT scans are used to diagnose abnormalities in most of the areas of the body including the brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, bowel, bones, blood vessels and soft tissues. In some instances, your test may require the use of an intravenous or oral dye to be used to enhance the images. CT scans provide high-resolution images with greater detail than a standard x-ray.
The exam is performed by an x-ray technologist with special training in CT scanning and the images are analyzed and reported by a radiologist.
What are the Benefits of LDCT for screening?
• Increased detection of lung nodules or early cancer compared to chest x-ray
• CT screening resulted in 20% decrease in lung cancer deaths compared to screening by Xray *
Who Should Consider This Screening Test?
- Smokers with > 20 pack-year history. (Pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked)
- Prior smokers that have quit < 15 years ago
- 50-80 years old with risk factors
- Have a family history of lung cancer
- Have history of exposure to pollutants or chemicals
- Require annual screening as a cancer survivor
How Often Should This Test be Performed?
- This screening test is advised annually for patients with relevant risk factors.
How Can I Access This Screening Test?
Speak with your health care provider today if you feel that this screening test could be right for you!
They can fill out a requisition, found on our website (link here to reqs), and this can be sent directly to Beam Radiology via fax at 587 885 2989.
You can also call us directly to book an appointment 587 885 2988 and bring your requisition in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The low dose CT reduces the amount of radiation that a patient is exposed to by using a tailored technique focused only on the lungs. The radiation dose from this exam is similar to that of a screening mammogram.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
- You can eat and drink normally before your appointment
- Your normal state of health. This may include a chronic cough or chronic difficulty breathing. You should not have any new symptoms such as fever, new cough, new shortness of breath that you have not felt before, coughing blood, or unexplained sudden weight loss.
- Most low- dose CT exams last for approximately 15 minutes, although the actual scanning only takes about 2 minutes.
- This is a non-invasive and painless exam.
- You may be asked to change into a gown from the waist up.
- You will be comfortably positioned on your back on our CT table which will move you in, then out of the scanner. During the test, you will be asked to hold your breath briefly.
- The machine will take detailed images of your chest that are then reformatted by a computer to create multiple cross-sectional images of the lungs and other soft tissues.
- At Beam Radiology we take special care to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible throughout this process, and we encourage you to ask any questions you may have and communicate openly.
- Your images will be reformatted to produce both 2D and 3D images/volumes of lungs.
- One of our specially trained physician will review and interpret your test according to current guidelines and prepare a final report for your referring practitioner.
- If anything of concern is detected, this will be brought to the attention of your referring practitioner, as well as the recommended next steps.
- This screening test is advised annually for patients with relevant risk factors.
- Speak with your health care provider today if you feel that this screening test could be right for you!
They can fill out a requisition, found on our website , and this can be sent directly to Beam Radiology via fax at 587 885 2989.
You can also call us directly to book an appointment 587 885 2988 and bring your requisition in person.
Beam Radiology Trinity Hills: 340 Na’a Common SW Calgary, AB T3H 6A3
