A low-dose CT lung screening is an annual chest CT that uses a fraction of the radiation of a standard CT to look for small lung nodules in people at higher risk of lung cancer — before there are any symptoms.
Also called: LDCT · Low-dose CT · Lung cancer screening CT
Who is lung screening for?
Screening is for people at higher risk because of their smoking history, not for everyone. National guidance recommends annual low-dose CT for adults roughly 50 to 80 years old who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and who either still smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
Insurance criteria are narrower than the clinical guidance in places, and Medicare generally asks for a shared decision-making visit with your physician first. Your physician decides whether screening is right for you and provides the order — call us and we will help you work out where you stand.
What happens during the exam?
There is nothing to prepare. You will lie on your back on the scanner table, raise your arms above your head, and hold your breath while the scanner passes over your chest. The scan itself takes about ten seconds; you are usually in and out inside fifteen minutes.
There is no contrast, no injection and no needle.
How is it lower dose than a normal CT?
The protocol is tuned specifically for screening. It uses far less radiation than a diagnostic chest CT — enough to see a nodule clearly, without the detail needed to characterize one. If something does turn up, your physician may order a standard CT to look properly.
How are the results reported?
Your radiologist reports the study using Lung-RADS, the American College of Radiology's standard scoring system, so your physician receives a clear category and a recommended next step rather than a paragraph to interpret.
Most findings are not cancer. Small nodules are common and usually just mean another scan in a few months. Screening works because it is repeated — the point is to come back annually while you remain eligible.
How do I prepare?
No fasting and no preparation. Wear metal-free clothing — you will lie on your back, raise your arms and hold your breath for about ten seconds.
Where can I get this exam?
Low-Dose CT Lung Screening is available at eight of our centers — Palm Harbor MRI, Palm Harbor MRI – Wesley Chapel, Highland MRI, Winter Haven MRI, Brandon MRI, Sarasota MRI, Venice MRI and Venice MRI – Port Charlotte. One call reaches every location — we will schedule you at whichever has the soonest opening, usually the same week.
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Medically reviewed by the board-certified radiologists of MRI Associates · Updated 2026-08-25