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Imaging

Low-dose CT (lung)

LDCT · Lung cancer screening CT

The only screening test demonstrated to reduce lung cancer mortality in high-risk adults.

Strong relevance4 cited sourcesNo fastingPublic (where offered): free for eligible cohorts. Private: €120–350.movement

What it measures

Low-dose CT scan of the chest, ~1.5 mSv radiation dose, detecting pulmonary nodules suggestive of early-stage lung cancer.

Reference context

0 guideline sources

Lung-RADS is the standard reporting framework. False-positives are common; many small nodules require only follow-up imaging rather than intervention.

CAC 0
1–99
100–299
≥300
Lower riskHigher risk

Population context — consult guideline targets below

Mechanism

Why moving this marker matters

The NLST (n=53,454) and NELSON (n=15,792) trials both demonstrated a 20–24% relative reduction in lung-cancer mortality in current and former heavy smokers screened with LDCT vs control.

How to measure

The test, where to get it, when to repeat

Method

Brief CT scan, ~10 minutes, no contrast. Annual screening if eligible.

Where

Hospital radiology, some primary-care-linked programmes in the US and Germany. Limited in many EU markets.

Typical cost

Public (where offered): free for eligible cohorts. Private: €120–350.

Fasting

Not required

When to test

  • USPSTF 2021

    50–80

    Annual LDCT for adults 50–80 with ≥20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

  • NCCN 2024

    Same eligibility plus consideration for additional risk factors (occupational exposure, family history).

Where to scan

Providers offering this imaging study

These providers offer the scan directly to consumers. You book and pay with them; the imaging report lives on their platform. Healicus is not in the clinical chain.

Healicus is not the provider. Your contract for the service is with whoever you choose. Links labelled Sponsored are paid affiliate relationships; unlabelled links are editorial reference only. See our disclosure for the full policy.

Context

Reading the numbers

Lung-RADS is the standard reporting framework. False-positives are common; many small nodules require only follow-up imaging rather than intervention.

Caveats

Repeated low-dose radiation exposure across annual screenings is a real but small concern. Not indicated for never-smokers at average risk.

Take to your physician

Worth discussing

  • Whether your smoking history makes you eligible for screening.
  • How false-positive findings are typically managed at the imaging centre.
  • Whether smoking cessation support is being offered alongside screening.

Sources

Cited literature

  1. [1]USPSTF 2021 — Screening for lung cancer(2021)
  2. [2]NCCN Guidelines — Lung Cancer Screening 2024(2024)
  3. [3]National Lung Screening Trial Research Team — Reduced lung-cancer mortality with low-dose CT(2011)
  4. [4]de Koning et al., NELSON — Reduced lung-cancer mortality with volume CT screening(2020)

Edited by Carl Pöhl, MD · Healicus editorial

Last reviewed May 2026

Educational reference. Population-level information for the longevity-curious reader. Healicus does not compute scores, interpret your specific values, or produce personalised recommendations from your clinical data. Discuss your own results and any decisions with your physician.

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