Published: November 20, 2025
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
A simple scan could be the first step toward beating the nation’s deadliest cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. The disease accounts for about 20% of all cancer deaths.
Lung cancer can go undiagnosed until it’s in an advanced stage, because symptoms usually don’t appear until the cancer has spread, according to the American Lung Association.
“Lung cancer is often silent until it’s advanced, which is why screening is so critical,” Adam D. Lye, M.D., thoracic medical oncologist and thoracic oncology program leader, Norton Cancer Institute. “With low-dose CT scans, we can detect early — often before symptoms even begin — and that can make all the difference in treatment success and survival.”
If someone is over age 50 and currently smokes or quit within the past 15 years, they could be at high risk for lung cancer. While lung cancer often can be caused by inhalation of dangerous chemicals, it also can occur in people with no known exposure to toxic substances.
According to the American Lung Association, cancer cells grow uncontrollably and cluster together to form a tumor, which destroys healthy lung tissue around it. Symptoms usually don’t appear until cancer cells spread to other parts of the body and prevent other organs from functioning properly. By then, lung cancer is harder to treat, according to the American Lung Association.
Lung cancer screening can’t prevent lung cancer, but it can detect cancer before symptoms appear. Earlier detection means improved health outcomes.
“If you’re over 50 and have a history of smoking, even if you quit years ago, you could be at risk,” Dr. Lye said. “Screening is a simple, painless step that could save your life. We want people to know they don’t have to wait for symptoms to take action.”
Norton Cancer Institute uses high-speed, low-dose CT scanning, which can detect even the tiniest lung nodule. The scan, which is painless, noninvasive and takes just a few minutes, is offered to individuals at high risk for developing lung cancer. This includes people who meet all the following criteria:
Studies have shown that early diagnosis with tools like CT scans can reduce the risk of death from lung cancer by up to 20%.
Click here or call (502) 629-5864 to request an appointment for a lung cancer screening.