Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the United States. That’s why the MUSC Health Lung Cancer Screening Program, in partnership with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, offers lung screening to determine if you’re at risk and, if so, help increase your chance of survival through early detection.

Why is lung screening important?

Often lung cancer has few to no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. When detected early, however, the disease is more treatable. Our program offers lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk adults, which has been shown by the National Lung Screening Trial to decrease their risk of dying from lung cancer. Based on recent research, you should be screened annually for as long as you meet the screening criteria. For more information about lung cancer and the treatments we offer, visit our lung cancer page.

Who should be screened for lung cancer?

You should consider getting screened for lung cancer if you have all three of these risk factors:

  • 50 to 77 years old and
  • Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (this means one pack a day for 20 years, two packs a day for ten years, etc.) and
  • Are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years.

Not everyone who meets the initial criteria will be eligible for screening. Our team will work with each patient to weigh the risks and benefits of screening and help determine if screening is right for each individual patient.

How is screening done?

  • Your lung cancer screening appointment should take about 30 minutes to an hour and is painless.
  • Screening is done using a low-dose spiral CT (LDCT) scan. This LDCT scan creates a detailed picture of your lungs.
  • You’ll go to MUSC Health Radiology (X-ray) for your LDCT scan. You’ll lie on a table and raise your arms above your head. Then the table will slide into the scanner. You’ll be asked to hold your breath for about 20 seconds during the scan.
  • One of our program’s dedicated thoracic radiologists will read and interpret the screening CTs.
  • Afterward, the test results will be sent to your physician for follow-up, and you will be contacted with the results as well.

What is the cost?

Medicare and most private insurance plans typically offer coverage for those who qualify.

Schedule a screening

Your doctor may refer you for screening, or you may refer yourself for a consultation:

843-792-9300 (Charleston and surrounding areas)

803-416-5470 (Chester & Lancaster)

803-409-7030 (Columbia, Kershaw and surrounding areas)

843-673-7529 (Florence)

Lung treatment & services

Your lung cancer screening coordinator will explain the evaluation process, which includes smoking cessation counseling if you smoke. You may also be referred to clinical trials that are appropriate for your concerns or your condition. Additional services available to you include:

  • MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Lung and Thoracic Cancer Program – Our experts specialize in the latest treatments for lung cancer, esophageal cancer and Barrett’s Esophagus, chest wall tumors, and mediastinal tumors.

  • MUSC Health Tobacco Treatment Program – Avoiding cigarettes is the most important thing you can do to lower your chance of dying from a variety of diseases, not just lung cancer. We provide support for patients interested in quitting smoking, including educational resources.

  • Clinical Trials – As the state’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Hollings offers patients groundbreaking treatment options and the latest clinical trials.

  • Patient and Family Resources – Our care extends beyond the scope of medical services to resources that support our patients and their families in all areas of life.

Our Team

Lung cancer screening and clinical consultations are conveniently located at various MUSC Health locations, including Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, North Charleston, Chester, Columbia, Florence, Lancaster, Lexington, Lugoff, Cades, and Mullins.

Lung screening with low dose CT will save many lives by detecting lung cancer at earlier, treatable stages.

Dr. Benjamin Toll

Image for Toll Lung Cancer Screenings

Locations

Lung Cancer Screening HCC

86 Jonathan Lucas Street

Charleston, SC 29425

Rutledge Tower

135 Rutledge Avenue

Charleston, SC 29425

Ashley River Tower

25 Courtenay Drive

Charleston, SC 29425

West Ashley Medical Pavilion Epic Center

2060 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

Charleston, SC 29407

Lung Cancer Screening East Cooper

East Cooper Medical Pavilion

1600 Midtown Avenue

Floor: 3

Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Scheduling: 843-792-1178

Lung Cancer Screening Elms Center

2575 Elms Center Road

Floor: One

North Charleston, SC 29406

Scheduling: 843-792-5716

Lung Cancer Screening at Lancaster

838 West Meeting Street

Lancaster , SC 29720

Scheduling: 803-416-5470

Lung Cancer Screenings Chester

517 Doctors Court

Chester, SC 29706

Main: 803-320-8567

Primary Care Lugoff

710 Dewitt Drive

Lugoff, South Carolina 29078

Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Columbia NE

114 Gateway Corporate Boulevard

Suite: 440

Columbia, South Carolina 29203

Lung Cancer Screening Columbia

2750 Laurel Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29204

Lung Cancer Screenings Florence

Florence Medical Center

Medical Pavilion B

805 Pamplico Highway

Florence, SC 29505

Main: 843-673-7529

Lung Cancer Screening Lexington

2351 Augusta Highway

Lexington, South Carolina 29072

Lung Cancer Screening Black River

MUSC Health Black River Medical Center

3555 Williamsburg County Highway

Cades, SC 29518

Scheduling: 843-673-7529

Lung Cancer Screening Marion

Marion Medical Center

2829 East Highway 76

Mullins, SC 29574

Main: 843-673-7529

computer monitor showing image of a lung cancer scan

Screening for Lung Cancer

Not everyone who meets the initial criteria will be eligible for screening. Our team will help guide you as to whether screening can benefit you or not.

Screening Brochure (PDF)