The US Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and American Medical Association recommends low-dose CT screening as a means to reduce the chance of dying from lung cancer in those at a high risk of developing lung cancer. Individuals considering low-dose CT screening should understand the following points:

1. Smoking cessation remains the most effective way of reducing the risk of developing lung cancer. The single best way to preventing lung cancer is to never start smoking.
2. Medicaid and some insurance companies may not cover the cost of low-dose CT screening. However, any follow-up care required after the exam will likely be covered by your insurance or Medicare/Medicaid.
3. A low-dose CT scan has the potential for revealing abnormalities that are not caused by lung cancer and that you did not expect. These findings may require that you be subjected to additional diagnostic procedures, which have their associated risks and costs.
4. Low-dose CT scans expose you to less radiation than normal CT scans, but you are still exposed to a low level of radiation.