Lung Cancer Screening

We offer these additional benefits to those who qualify for screening:

• Robot-assisted bronchoscopy of suspicious lung nodules using Auris Health's Monarch™
• Platform, offering improved detection of early stages of lung cancer
• Help determining insurance coverage and payment options
• Health care consultations about your results
• Access to a smoking cessation program dedicated to helping people quit smoking
• Referral to Houston Methodist lung specialists

Eligibility Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening

We offer routine lung cancer screening for early diagnosis so high-risk patients can get the treatments they need as quickly as possible, sometimes even before symptoms occur. This is important because the earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

To be eligible to be screened for lung cancer, you must be 50 to 80 years old. In addition, you must currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years. You must also have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history — one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years.

Talk with your doctor to find out if you qualify for screening. Houston Methodist offers lung cancer screening at nine locations across Greater Houston, allowing you or your loved one to receive care close to home or work.

Find out if you qualify for screening ➝

American College of Radiology Designation

The American College of Radiology awards special recognition to facilities for quality standards and performance through the Designated Lung Cancer Screening Center™ program. Houston Methodist lung cancer screening locations in Baytown, Sugar Land, Texas Medical Center and West Houston hold this designation.

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

A risk factor is anything that increases your odds of developing lung cancer. It is important to be aware of your individual risk factors.

Tobacco smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, linked to 80 to 90% of lung cancer deaths. People who smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers. The more cigarettes someone smokes, the more their risk for developing lung cancer increases.

Vaping is the use of electronic cigarettes, including e-cigarettes, e-cigs or vapes. New research suggests that people who smoke tobacco cigarettes and also vape are four times more likely to develop lung cancer than people who only smoke tobacco cigarettes.

Radon is another major cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that escapes from certain uranium-containing soils and rock formations and can seep into the home, particularly at the ground floor level.

Radon gas cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Long-term exposure to radon can damage the DNA of cells and lead to lung cancer.

Additional personal, health and lifestyle risk factors include:

• Personal history of lung cancer
• Family history of lung cancer (especially parents, brothers, sisters or children)
• Cancer survivors who had radiation therapy to the chest
• Regular exposure to certain chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic or diesel exhaust
• Living in areas with higher air pollution
• Secondhand smoke (exposure to tobacco smoke from other people)
• Vitamin supplements like beta carotene for people who smoke one or more packs per day

One or more risk factors do not guarantee you will develop lung cancer. At the same time, few or no risk factors do not mean you will not develop lung cancer.

To discuss your specific risks and prevention tactics, book an appointment with one of our specialists.