RadNet incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) into low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer – advancing lung cancer detection at its earliest stages.

LDCT screening for lung cancer is a specialized, painless test that uses low doses of radiation in order to find lung cancer before it is symptomatic and before it has spread. 

Implementing AI into LDCT screening for lung cancer has significant advantages, including improved diagnostic accuracy, which can lead to even earlier diagnoses and potentially better outcomes. AI also allows the specialty-trained team across the RadNet network to personalize screenings for individual patients and reduce radiation doses even further while obtaining exceptional image quality.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States but the key to surviving cancer is finding it in its earliest stage when treatment is most likely to be successful. Several prominent groups, including the American Cancer Society, recommend anyone at high risk for lung cancer to begin screening with low-dose chest CT at the age of 50.

Screening people who are at high risk for lung cancer annually with a low dose chest CT can reduce the death rate from lung cancer by 20%.

According to Dr. Scott Brandman, director of Thoracic Imaging at Arizona Diagnostic Radiology, “About 46% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage when the disease has spread from the lung to other organs.” 

There are a few factors used to assess candidacy for this screening, all of which involve a patient’s smoking status:

• At least a 20 pack-year smoking history (meaning, ½ pack per day for 40 years, one pack per day for 20 years, two packs per day for 10 years, etc.)
• Current smoker or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
• 50 to 80 years of age.

Most importantly, this screening test is covered by almost all insurance plans for most people at high risk.