According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer death rates have declined in recent years — but the rate of women diagnosed has increased within the last 20 years. In most cases, lung cancer doesn’t show any symptoms until it’s more advanced, making screening even more critical.
Lung screenings are recommended for anyone considered high-risk, meaning they:
- Are age 50 or older
- Are a smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
- Have smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for at least 20 years or two packs per day for at least 10 years
Talk to your doctor right away if you’re experiencing breathlessness, coughing up blood or have any other persistent chest symptoms. Our Health Navigators can connect you with a specialist who performs lung cancer screenings like low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans. And if you meet the high-risk criteria, most insurances will cover your lung cancer screening.