Lung Cancer Screening Program

If you or a loved one is at risk for lung cancer, BayCare has a program to help you breathe a bit easier.  We created the Lung Nodule Program to promote early lung cancer detection, because early detection can save lives.  During the screening process, a dedicated nurse navigator works with you and your primary care doctor to guide you through every step of the process.  If there is an abnormal result, the navigator and our specialists will work with you to coordinate your plan of care.

What is a Pulmonary (Lung) Nodule?

Lung nodules are small areas of dense tissue on the lung.  Most lung nodules are non-cancerous and can form due to:

  • Scar tissue
  • Air pollutants or irritants
  • Diseases that cause inflammation
  • Past or current lung infections
  • Cancer, most often related to exposure to tobacco smoke or radon gas

If you are at high-risk, it is important to get a Low-Dose CT lung screening and have an expert team ready to review your scan and design a proper action plan for you, if needed.  

For more information about the Lung Nodule Program near you, please call the Nurse Navigator listed at your preferred location.

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Morton Plant Hospital

Clearwater, FL
Phone: (727) 461-8526
Fax: (727) 333-6337

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St. Anthony's Hospital

St. Petersburg, FL
Phone: (727) 940-2797
Fax: (727) 333-6232

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St. Joseph's Hospital

Tampa, FL
Phone: (813) 870-4149 
Fax: (813) 870-4825

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Who Should Get a Lung Cancer Screening?

Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer provides a detailed view of your chest and lungs. A CT scan, or Computerized Tomography is recognized as a beneficial and affordable screening option for high-risk patients who smoke or have a history of smoking, providing a thorough examination of their lungs and chest.  If a lung nodule is present, it will show up as a white spot on the CT scan.  Low-dose CT screenings are available at several BayCare Outpatient Imaging Centers throughout the Tampa Bay area. You must have a doctor’s prescription for this screening and many insurance providers require that you have a consultation with a doctor.  To be eligible for a Low-Dose CT Screening, you should:

  • Be 50-80 years old.
  • Have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer (asymptomatic).
  • Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years.
  • Have a history of at least 20 pack years of smoking. Examples: 
    • One pack per day for 20 years = 20 pack years, or
    • Two packs per day for 10 years = 20 pack years
  • Have an appropriate Low-Dose CT lung screening order from your doctor.

The Benefits of BayCare’s Lung Nodule Program

  • A multidisciplinary team reviews all patients who have high-risk pulmonary (lung) nodules.
  • Getting a diagnosis and starting treatment is quick and efficient.
  • You have access to the cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment options available from BayCare locations across the Tampa Bay region. 
  • A dedicated nurse navigator will guide you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Much Does a Low-Dose CT Screening Cost?
    Medicare and many managed-care providers cover annual low-dose CT screenings for patients that meet all the eligibility criteria listed above, including a doctor’s prescription/order.  Some insurance providers require a consultation with your physician before a screening takes place.  Check with your physician before scheduling your screening. 

    For uninsured patients who choose to pay by cash, BayCare offers low-dose CT screenings for $99 (due at time of service). You can also learn more about financial assistance options at BayCare.
  • What Can I Expect During My Low-Dose CT Screening?
    The procedure is quick and painless. You will lie on a table that slides into the CT scanner. The scan only takes a few minutes. There is no need for special preparation or fasting.
  • What Happens if a Lung Nodule is Found on my Scan?
    After the screening, the nurse navigator will identify patients who have high-risk results.  If your scan is included in the identified group, they will contact your primary care doctor to ask for permission to bring the results to a multidisciplinary team. The team includes representatives from pulmonology, radiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and thoracic surgery. The team will review your results and recommend a treatment plan. The first step is having a consultation with a provider from the lung program team. The nurse navigator will then share the recommendations with your primary care doctor and help with the next steps in your treatment plan.
  • Can I get a Low-Dose CT Screening if I have Never Smoked?
    Yes; if you have risk factors such as living with a smoker, exposure to Radon gas, or other environmental or work-related exposures. Check with your physician before scheduling your screening.

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