Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems now offers a low-dose CT lung cancer screening. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in America and if detected early, is more likely to be curable. This screening is a test used to detect the presence of lung cancer in healthy people with no symptoms, but is at high risk for lung cancer. A low-dose CT scan is an X-ray that takes multiple images to receive a detailed picture of your lungs.
If you are a current or former smoker over the age of 50, you could meet the high risk eligibility criteria for an annual low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer. Medicare and several private health insurance plans cover lung cancer screenings, but eligibility criteria varies based on the type of plan you have. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for lung cancer screenings.
If you feel you are at high risk, talk to your doctor regarding this screening and to be referred to the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems Radiology Department.