The goal of lung cancer screening is to detect lung cancer at a very early stage — when it's more likely to be cured. Studies show lung cancer screening reduces the risk of dying of lung cancer.
Mediclinic offers lung cancer screening for everyone eligible for this screening. Cancer screening is always offered to a specific group, based on international research and guidelines per side of cancer.
To check if you are able to proceed with lung cancer screening, please answer the below questions before making an appointment:
- Are 50 years or above?
- Do you have a smoking history?
- Did you have a lung CT in the last 12 months?
If the answer is Yes, No then you are eligible for screening and you can proceed by making an appointment.
Screening packages rates:
- Lung cancer screening - AED 925
Includes:- Appointment with a Family Medicine physician in Mediclinic’s Virtual Clinic
- Lung CT at a radiology department in the Mediclinic hospital of your choice
Screening selection criteria
For everyone of age 50 years or above, with the risk criteria listed below, lung cancer screening should be offered.
High-risk candidates of lung cancer aged 50-75 years with:
- 30 pack-year history of smoking, and/or tobacco cessation <15 years.
- 20 pack-year history of tobacco use, and/or tobacco cessation <15 years and one additional risk factor;
- 20 year history of water pipe (shisha) and/or dokha, medwakh and/or all other forms of smoked tobacco use.
Screening is not an alternative to tobacco cessation, this should be a parallel process.
The lung screening process
If you are eligible for lung cancer screening (see information at the top of this webpage), then you make an appointment with one of the Family Medicine doctors in the Virtual Clinic. You can do this by calling 800 2033. We will quickly check your eligibility again before we schedule the actual appointment. You will receive a confirmation and payment link.
During the virtual consultation your Family Medicine doctor will go through a questionnaire with you, answer any of your questions and proceed with ordering the lung CT for you at a radiology department in the hospital of your choice. On the day of the appointment you can directly go to the radiology department of the hospital and tell the reception you are there for your booked appointment.
You will receive the result of the test within three weeks (15 working days) from the date the lung CT was performed. The Family Medicine doctor from the Virtual Clinic will call you with the results.
What happens if the lung screening finds something?
For all abnormal results the Family Medicine doctor from the Virtual Clinic will refer you to see a pulmonologist by booking a consultation as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions/ More information
What is a lung CT?
A lung CT (computed tomography) scan is a scan that uses x-ray technology to create internal images of the chest. A specialised machine takes multiple images of your lungs; all these pictures together form a full picture of your lungs for radiologists to evaluate. A low-dose CT scanner uses a minimal amount of radiation to produce high-quality images for a more clear view of any abnormalities in the lungs.
How can I prepare for a lung CT?
Some advice to prepare yourself for the lung CT:
- Remove any metal you're wearing as metals can interfere with the imaging. You may be asked to remove items such as jewellery, glasses, hearing aids and dentures.
- Inform your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of a respiratory tract infection or if you recently recovered from an infection. These infections may cause abnormalities on CT scans for which maybe additional scans or tests are needed. We do not want you to be exposed to additional scans if not needed, so your doctor may recommend delaying your screening until one month after your signs and symptoms go away.
How is a lung CT performed?
During the scan you’ll lie on your back on a long table. The technologist will go to a separate room where he or she can still see you and talk with you. The technologist will ask you to lie very still as the table slides through the center of the machine. Initially the table will go through the machine to determine the starting point for the scan. When the machine is ready to perform the scan, you’re asked to hold your breath briefly to ensure a clear picture of your lungs. The table will move quickly through the machine while the images are created. It is possible that the machine make some noises (knocking or clicking), this is completely normal.
The actual scan takes probably less than a minute, but please expect your appointment to last longer due to preparation.
Can I do everything after the lung CT?
There are no restrictions after the CT is performed, and you can resume normal activities.
What are the possible outcomes?
To give an overview of the possible outcomes of the lung CT, we have listed the categories below:
- No abnormalities (negative, benign appearance or behaviour)
This means the scan didn’t discover any abnormal modules. You will be referred back to the screenings program, which means a follow-up screenings scan in 12 months. - Lung nodules: the scan shows small spots (nodules) in the lung.
- This can be related to other conditions (scars from lung infection or benign spots) and don’t require immediate action. For example the advice can be to monitor the spots via annual screening.
- In some situations the doctor may want to do another lung CT in a couple of months to see if the lung nodule grows, as growing nodules are more likely to be cancerous.
- In case of large nodules you might be referred to a pulmonologist for additional tests. This can be a biopsy to remove a small part of the nodule for laboratory testing, or for additional imaging like a PET scan.
Which additional investigations can be performed after the CT?
Depending on the outcome of the CT scan and the size of the nodules, you might be referred for additional tests. This can be a biopsy to remove a small part of the nodule for laboratory testing, or for additional imaging like a PET scan.
How often do I need a lung CT?
Conform international guidelines for lung cancer screening a lung CT need to be done annually for eligible patients to ensure early detection.