11 Preventive Health Screening Tests Doctors Recommend

8. Lung cancer screening (low-dose CT)

Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening can find early lung cancers in people at higher risk from smoking. Recommended candidates typically include adults aged about 50–80 with a 20-pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years; screening is usually annual while risk remains (USPSTF; American Cancer Society). What to expect: the test is a quick, noninvasive CT scan of the chest without contrast that takes only minutes. Preparation tips: wear loose clothing and leave jewelry at home; no fasting is required. Screening programs emphasize smoking cessation support as a central part of care — quitting lowers future risk even after years of smoking. If a nodule is found, radiologists often use follow-up CTs or other tests to monitor size before more invasive steps. Discuss eligibility and the balance of benefits and harms with your clinician, since false positives and follow-up testing are possible.