Breathe easy with a lung cancer screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., but it’s highly treatable when found early. Kaweah Health’s Lung Screening Program pairs advanced imaging with personal guidance—so you can take control of your health.

Screening includes a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan to check for lung cancer. It’s quick and painless. LDCT can find small lung nodules or changes years before they show up on a regular x-ray—giving you more treatment options and better outcomes. 

What is a low-dose CT scan?

A CT scan is a special type of x-ray that takes many pictures of your lungs—and other parts of your chest—using a computer. These pictures are more detailed than a regular x-ray and help doctors spot problems they might otherwise miss.

A low-dose CT scan uses much less radiation than a regular CT, but still a bit more than a single chest x-ray. It’s designed to get clear images while keeping radiation exposure as low as possible.

The machine moves in a circle around your body (sometimes called a spiral CT) and takes pictures. A computer then puts all those images together so your doctor can get a good look at what’s going on inside your chest.

Why would I need one?

This type of scan is often used to screen for lung cancer—especially in people who are at higher risk. The idea is to catch lung cancer early, before it spreads, when it’s easier to treat or even cure.

Yearly LDCT scans have been shown to lower the risk of dying from lung cancer in people who are considered high-risk. So how do you know if you’re in that group?

According to the American Cancer Society, yearly screening may be recommended if all of these apply to you:

• You’re between 50 and 80 years old
• You currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years
• You have a 20-pack-year history (that means smoking a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years)

Different organizations may have slightly different guidelines, so it’s always a good idea to talk with your provider about your personal health history and risk factors.

Cutting-edge diagnosis: Ion bronchoscopy

Kaweah Health now offers Ion, a minimally invasive, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy developed by Intuitive (makers of da Vinci®). Ion can reach all 18 segments of the lungs to perform precise biopsies, often shortening diagnosis by weeks—so you and your care team can move faster on next steps.

Support at every step

For more than 15 years, Pam Montgomery, RN, has dedicated her career to helping cancer patients and their families. As Kaweah Health’s thoracic oncology nurse navigator, she helps patients understand what to expect, coordinate appointments, and connect with the right resources—because having a knowledgeable guide by your side can make all the difference.

Talk to your primary care provider about a screening referral. If you don’t have a provider, find one at our Kaweah Health clinic locations. For questions about the lung cancer screening program, call (559) 624-3111 or visit KaweahHealth.org/Lung.