Lung Cancer Screening

Designed for those most at risk

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for developing lung cancer. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, our lung cancer screening program provides low-dose lung CT screening to current and former smokers who are at a high risk for developing this disease. If you are between 55 and 77 years of age and have a smoking history, discuss being screened with your provider. A provider referral is required for this screening.

Who is eligible for the screening?

Eligibility criteria and screening schedules are based on the results of the National Lung Screening Trial, which found that lung cancer deaths were decreased by 20 percent in people who had annual low-dose CT scans over two years.*

Low-dose lung CT screening criteria apply if you:

• Are between the ages of 55 and 77
• Have smoked 30 or more "pack years" (For example, smoking one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years.)
• Currently smoke, or have quit tobacco use in the last 15 years

Unsure if a lung screening is right for you? Use our decision tool to find out.

What to expect

On the day of your first appointment, you will register, and then we will perform the low-dose lung CT scan which takes approximately 15 minutes. The whole appointment will take about 30-60 minutes.

Each scan is read by a radiologist who specializes in reading lung CT screenings. Your doctor will receive the results of the scan. If there are any suspicious or abnormal findings your doctor will refer you to a specialist.

Quitting tobacco

If you are a current smoker or tobacco user and would like support in quitting, an option available to residents of Washington, is the Washington State Tobacco Quitline, available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department also offers a virtual support group to help you quit nicotine for good.

Scheduling your screening

Appointments are available at many convenient locations throughout the Puget Sound. To schedule an appointment after receiving a referral, please find the location nearest you and call the scheduling number.

Learn more about fighting lung cancer

American Cancer Society

Lung Cancer Alliance

*Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Screening. The National Lung Screening Trial Research Team. N Engl J Med 2011; 365:395-409.