Low-Dose CT Chest
Assessment Stage: Advanced Investigation
Included in Future Health Assessment: Recommended where clinically appropriate
Partner: Lumus Imaging / I-MED Radiology
Provider: Accredited CT imaging provider
Approximate Cost:
Bulk billed for eligible participants in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program
Approximately $350 if undertaken privately
What is it?
A Low-Dose CT Chest uses a much lower radiation dose than a conventional CT scan to screen for early lung cancer.
What does it assess?
Early lung cancer
Pulmonary nodules
Emphysema
Chronic lung disease
Selected chest abnormalities
Why is it important?
Lung cancer is often diagnosed late because symptoms usually develop only after the disease has progressed.
When performed in appropriate high-risk individuals, low-dose CT screening significantly reduces lung cancer mortality through earlier detection.
Who may benefit?
Current Australian screening recommendations include:
Age 50–70 years
Current smoker or quit within the previous 10 years
At least 30 pack-year smoking history
Private screening may also be considered following discussion of risks and benefits.
What happens during the scan?
The scan takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
No injections are required.
Preparation
No preparation required.
Advantages
Low radiation
Detects lung cancer earlier
Fast
Evidence based
Limitations
Not recommended for everyone.
Small nodules often require follow-up imaging.
False positives may occur.
How Future Health uses this investigation
Recommended selectively for patients meeting screening criteria or after individualised discussion regarding benefits and limitations.
Future Health Summary
Low-dose CT screening has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality in appropriately selected high-risk individuals.