LungCheck

LungCheck is Saskatchewan’s lung screening and prevention program. 

The program offers health education, support for quitting smoking and low-dose CT scans of your lungs.

Lung cancer occurs in the lungs when abnormal cells develop and grow in an uncontrolled way. These growths, called tumours, can be a serious health issue that can cause severe harm and death. 

Without screening, lung cancer is usually not found until the disease is already at an advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body. 

When cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a better chance of success. 

LungCheck consists of three components:

• Information about improving lung health;
• Supports for smokers who are interested in quitting; and
• A low-dose CT scan for those found to be at high risk for developing lung cancer.

About the LungCheck low-dose CT scan

Lung cancer screening is done by a low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan. 

The low-dose CT scan is for people who may be at a high risk of developing cancer but feel fine (healthy, well people with no symptoms) and fit within the following criteria:

• are between the ages of 50 and 74; and
• have smoked commercial tobacco daily for 20+ years (does not need to be consecutive).

Not everyone who meets the criteria will be eligible for the low-dose CT scan; a risk assessment will determine eligibility. 

What happens during a low-dose CT scan?

The lung screening low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful. 

• No medications or needles are given during the test.
• During the appointment, you will lie on a table and move into a doughnut-shaped machine called a scanner.
• The scanner will surround your chest but will not touch you. You may hear some noises from the machine.
• The scanner uses a small amount of radiation to take detailed pictures of your lungs.
• You should wear comfortable, metal-free clothing. You may need to remove your jewelry.
• Staff will be with you at all times.
• You are welcome to bring a support person to your appointment. They will be asked to wait in the waiting room during the scan itself.

Low-dose CT scan results

The radiologist (a doctor who reads CT scans) who looks at your low-dose CT scan will give it a score based on the size of the spot and what it looks like. The score will determine your next steps.

Your results will be shared with you, the LungCheck program and your health-care provider approximately two weeks after your test. Your results are also available on MySaskHealthRecord.

LungCheck location

As part of a phased rollout, LungCheck is partnering with a physician at the Associate Family Physicians Clinic in Swift Current to begin offering lung screening and smoking cessation supports to eligible clients. 

Over time, the program will expand to include more clinics in Swift Current and more Saskatchewan communities.

Smoking & lung cancer

Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer.

The best way to lower your chance of developing many types of cancers is to quit or reduce commercial cigarette smoking. Stopping smoking doubles the benefits of lung screening and significantly improves your lung health.  

Quitting smoking is hard, but support is available. Contact LungCheck at 1-833-571-5864 for supports and tools that could help you quit or reduce your smoking.