Screening
Lung cancer screening
Eligibility criteria and referral steps for low-dose CT screening.
Last reviewed 2026-01-04|cancer | respiratory | smoking | prevention
Who to screen: adults ages 55-74 with 30 or more pack-years who currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years. Do not use this pathway for symptoms suggestive of lung cancer.
Test and interval: annual low-dose CT for up to 3 consecutive years. Screening should occur only within organized programs with expertise in LDCT interpretation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Do not screen: avoid chest X-ray for screening and do not screen those outside eligibility criteria.
Follow-up: document pack-year history, smoking status, and referral outcome. Provide smoking cessation support at every visit.