Radiation exposure: LDCT
lung screening uses a small amount of radiation to create images of
your lung. While radiation can increase a person’s risk of cancer, the benefits of the screening outweigh the risks of exposure to the small amount of radiation from this exam.
False positives: LDCT
lung screening may find something in the lung that could be cancer but
in fact, is not. This is called a false positive. To make sure
these findings are not cancer, additional tests or procedures might be
needed, which can have potential side effects.
False positives are frequently lung nodules. Lung nodules are small collections of tissue in the lung. Nodules are very common, and the vast majority —
more than 97 percent — are not cancer. The most suspicious will be referred for more evaluation. Smaller and less concerning nodules can be followed.
Additional follow-up tests or procedures: These may include a chest CT, biopsy, PET/CT or other recommended tests as needed.
False negatives:
No test is perfect. It is possible that you may have a medical condition, including lung cancer, that is not found during your exam.
This is called a false negative.
Comorbidities: You and your doctor may discuss other health issues that could impact your decision to receive lung cancer screening.