Early Detection of Lung Cancer for Smokers to Be Covered by Health Insurance

Who is eligible for the screening?

The program is primarily aimed at all active smokers between the ages of 50 and 75. However, former smokers can also take advantage of the service, provided they have been smoke-free for no longer than 10 years. In addition, the extent and duration of tobacco use are relevant in all cases: You must have smoked for at least 25 years and, based on calculations, have accumulated a total of 15 so-called “pack-years.” One pack-year corresponds to smoking one pack (= 20 cigarettes) per day for one year.

How can you claim this benefit?

If you would like to take advantage of the lung cancer screening program for smokers, you must first contact your primary care physician, internist, or occupational health physician. They will provide you with detailed information about the screening and the next steps, determine your eligibility, and, if necessary, refer you to a qualified radiology practice where the actual screening will be performed using a low-dose CT scan.

Is early detection safe?

A CT scan always involves a certain amount of radiation exposure. To keep this exposure as low as possible—even if the scan is repeated annually—this type of lung cancer screening for smokers uses a lower radiation dose. While this may result in more image noise, it is generally sufficient to detect lung cancer. The risk associated with radiation from the CT scanner is significantly lower than the danger posed by an undetected tumor.

To ensure that, given the large number of screenings expected, there is still no increase in false-positive findings, participating radiologists must also complete special training.

What happens after the CT scan?

It can take up to two weeks to evaluate the scan. If the results are normal, you will receive a report to that effect and can repeat the screening after 12 months.

If the result is not unequivocally negative, another radiologist will be consulted for a second opinion. If both radiologists jointly conclude that the finding requires further evaluation (= no concrete suspicion), the smoker in question can undergo the next lung cancer screening before the standard 12-month period has elapsed. If, on the other hand, the joint findings indicate a need for further investigation (= concrete suspicion), additional steps must be taken to establish a definitive diagnosis.

The most effective measure for protecting against lung cancer is still quitting smoking. For this reason, counseling on smoking cessation strategies and methods is always provided as part of the screening process.

In addition, it’s important to pay attention to your body and seek immediate medical help if you notice any warning signs. We’ve provided an overview of potential lung cancer symptoms in this blog post.