What happens during a lung screening exam?

What is a low-dose CT or lung screening exam? A low dose CT exam is used to screen patients at high risk for lung cancer. Lung screening has the potential to detect lung cancer at earlier stages when it has the best chance of being cured. At Mass General Imaging, we offer low-dose CT scans (LDCT) at many of our community locations. What happens during a lung screening exam? During a lung screening exam, a radiologic technologist positions the patient on the scanner and guides them through the exam while using a low dose of radiation to take detailed images of the lungs. Learn more about lung screening on our site here: https://www.massgeneral.org/imaging/p...

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[Music] Welcome to Mass General Brigham. We look forward to guiding you through your visit, we're glad you chose us. When you check in, we'll have you fill out some brief paperwork and may ask for a photo ID. We may ask you to repeat your information for your safety. We'll give you an ID bracelet and have you change into hospital attire.

A lung screening CT takes detailed images of the lungs to screen for lung cancer. It can find cancer early when it's most treatable the exam takes about 15 minutes. When it is time for your test, a technologist will bring you into the exam room and position you on the table. Technologists are specifically trained to guide you through your exam. You can talk to your technologist at any time. They may ask you to lie still and hold your breath periodically, to help get clearer images.

Technologists don't interpret images so they can't tell you the results. After your exam, a radiologist reports what they see on your scans to your referring doctor. Your results will be available in Patient Gateway in about a week.

Let us know if you have any questions, your privacy and comfort are important to us. We look forward to welcoming you to Mass General Brigham.