Lung Cancer Screening
What Are The Benefits of Lung Cancer Screening CT?
Detecting lung cancer at an early stage makes it more likely to be cured. By the time symptoms develop, lung cancer is usually too advanced to cure. Research studies have shown that regular screening reduces the risk of dying from lung cancer
Who Should Get Regularly Screened?
- Has a smoking history of at least 20 “pack-years” (average of one pack a day for 20 years)
- Age 50-80 years old
- Smokes now or have quit within the last 15 years
- Annual screening is recommended for asymptomatic individuals who meet these criteria
Schedule a Lung Screening
Quickly and easily request your screening appointment online today. We’ll follow up to confirm your appointment.
Book NowHow To Prepare?
Inform your doctor if you have a cold or respiratory infection
A recent respiratory infection can cause an abnormal scan that may require additional and unnecessary testing. This can be avoided by waiting for the infection to pass. We typically recommend about a month after symptoms have cleared to ensure it’s resolved.
Remove any metal items, including jewelry, buttons/snaps, underwire bras
These items can interfere with the scan. If your clothing has too much metal, you may be asked to change into a gown.
Check with your insurance company
Medicare covers lung cancer screening for patients 55-77 with a 20 pack year history of smoking, who are current smokers or who have quit in the last 15 years. Many insurance companies now also cover the exam for patients with similar risk profiles.
What Should I Expect? How Is The Study Performed?
Your entire appointment should last between 15-30 minutes. The scan itself takes just a couple minutes.
Our experienced technologists will guide you through the entire exam. For the scan itself, you will be asked to lie still and flat on a moving, cushioned table. You will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the scan.
The scan itself is quick and painless. You will not feel anything during the scan.
There are no injections or ingested medications.
If your scan is negative (there are no suspicious findings or abnormalities), you should expect to get screened annually.
What Are The Downsides of Lung Cancer Screening?
Sometimes, an abnormality can be found on the test, even when no cancer is present. This is called a false-positive result. False-positive results can lead to follow-up tests, patient anxiety, and possibly invasive procedures to prove that a cancer is not present.
Lung cancer screening exposes the body to low doses of CT radiation, which carries a theoretical and small increased risk of developing cancer. This is believed by expert researchers to be far outweighed by the benefits of screening CT.
Sometimes, an abnormality can be found on the test, even when no cancer is present. This is called a false-positive result. False-positive results can lead to follow-up tests, patient anxiety, and possibly invasive procedures to prove that a cancer is not present.
Lung cancer screening exposes the body to low doses of CT radiation, which carries a theoretical and small increased risk of developing cancer. This is believed by expert researchers to be far outweighed by the benefits of screening CT.
Meet Dr. Narmadan Kumarasamy
Narmadan Kumarasamy, MD, MPH is the Director of the Lung Cancer Screening program at Hackensack Radiology Group. Dr. Kumarasamy completed his medical degree at Stanford University and residency training in diagnostic radiology with fellowship expertise in cardiothoracic imaging at Montefiore Medical Center. He grew up in New Jersey and lives locally in Bergen County. He has extensive experience with lung cancer screening and is eager to provide his expertise to all eligible patients with the Hackensack Radiology Group screening program.
Schedule a Lung Screening
Quickly and easily request your screening appointment online today. We’ll follow up to confirm your appointment.
Book NowTestimonials
The Hackensack Radiology Group is a professional and careful imaging group. They verified the pertinent information multiple times, they had an effici… View Full Text
– Alan F
The Hackensack Radiology Group is a professional and careful imaging group. They verified the pertinent information multiple times, they had an efficient check-in process with the multiple forms data areas pre-populated and requiring only review and signature. The test was performed efficiently by a very qualified and interactive technician who recognized that the patient is a person in an uncomfortable predicament and was trying to put me at ease.
Like many women, Carmen discovered she had fibroids accidentally. While visiting her gynecologist to remove an ovarian cyst, she also found out she ha… View Full Text
– Carmen
Like many women, Carmen discovered she had fibroids accidentally. While visiting her gynecologist to remove an ovarian cyst, she also found out she had fibroids. Within a few years, Carmen started to develop serious symptoms like heavy, long, painful periods. Carmen admitted having to wear a super absorbency tampon, two ultra absorbency maxi-pads, a Depend® adult diaper, and Spanks® to hold it all together.
Not able to tolerate it any longer, she began to explore fibroid treatments. After searching for alternatives and getting nowhere, Carmen finally learned about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) from an acquaintance who also suffered from fibroids. For Carmen, deciding to get UFE was the best decision for her. Recovery was uncomplicated. After resting for four days, she was back at work a week after the procedure.
“I’m hoping that I can use this platform to let other women know about UFE,” Carmen emphasized. “Women who are afraid to wear white pants and who feel a gush of blood flowing every time they get up from their seat. Who pray they have not messed up their seat at work or messed up the back of their pants or their nice skirt when they go out to dinner or they go to church. I hope that by doing this, I let other women know—just like I found out—that there is an alternative.”
I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the receptionist I made the appointment with all the way to the doctor and nurses. Thank you!”… View Full Text
– Stephanie G
I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the receptionist I made the appointment with all the way to the doctor and nurses. Thank you!”
The tech was knowledgeable, professional, caring, personable (I could go on!) I appreciate her kindness in making me feel confident and amazing during… View Full Text
– Thecla E.
“The tech was knowledgeable, professional, caring, personable (I could go on!) I appreciate her kindness in making me feel confident and amazing during this stressful event. I am impressed with the scheduler during my scheduling, she was enthusiastic to guide me through the process and went above and beyond with me and others to make this facility a great place to refer others. My special thanks to this office and the exceptional employees making a positive difference for your patients. All employees are approachable and helpful.”
The tech was very friendly and super nice. A wonderful experience and great person to have on your staff! We will always come here!… View Full Text
– Jean C.
The tech was very friendly and super nice. A wonderful experience and great person to have on your staff! We will always come here!
Everyone is polite and efficient. The tech was great and explained everything and made the experience as painless as possible – Thank you!… View Full Text
– Lore M.
“Everyone is polite and efficient. The tech was great and explained everything and made the experience as painless as possible – Thank you!!”