Illinois Lung Cancer Screening Initiative

Early Detection – Should You be Screened for Lung Cancer – Saving Lives One Scan at a Time. Funding for this program made possible by a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health

If you ​smoke or have ever smoked, low-dose CT lung cancer screening could save your life.

Do you meet the following criteria?

  • 50 – 80 years of age
  • Have a 20 pack-year history of smoking (1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years)
  • Are a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
  • Are an Illinois resident
Take the Saved By the Scan quiz to check your eligibility

If you meet the criteria, or are close, reach out to our knowledgeable Lung HelpLine Nurse Navigator to determine if you are eligible for screening and to guide you each step of the way.

Receive guidance and resources:

  • Screening centers near you
  • Insurance coverage or if no insurance, vouchers to cover cost of screening
  • Scheduling assistance
  • Transportation assistance (vouchers)
  • Tobacco cessation referral (free services)

*as funds are available

Contact Us

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 9 am- 5 pm CST  

TTY for hearing impaired:

1-800-501-1068  

Why Should You Get a Lung Cancer Screening Test?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in America, but now there's hope. Screening is used to detect lung cancer early, when it is more likely to be curable. If lung cancer is caught before it spreads, the likelihood of surviving 5 years or more improves to 60 percent.*

*Based on early-stage lung cancer statistics (stage 1 vs. stage 4)

60% - improved likelihood of surviving 5  years or  more 

Screening is looking for cancer before you have any symptoms, which can help find cancer at an early stage when it may be easier to treat. 

iframe video

Early detection and early intervention saves lives. If you ​smoke or have ever smoked, low-dose CT lung cancer screening could save your life. Call the Lung HelpLine Nurse Navigator and get screened for lung cancer

Watch Video

Helpful Information and Resources

About the Low-Dose CT Scan

A low-dose CT scan is a special kind of X-ray that takes multiple pictures as you lie on a table that slides in and out of the machine. A computer then combines these images into a detailed picture of your lungs.

A study on early detection of lung cancer found that the low-dose cancer screening test can reduce mortality for those at high risk. If you're a current or former smoker over the age of 50, you could meet the high-risk eligibility criteria.

About the Initiative:

The American Lung Association is working to increase lung cancer screening rates in target communities: This intervention will integrate public health equity best practices through building awareness and reducing barriers to care, increased early-stage cancer diagnosis, increase early intervention, reduce morbidity and mortality rates and provide appropriate client support to lung cancer screening referrals and facilitate low-dose CT for the target populations, White and Black men and Black women, and for all eligible clients.

Page last updated: June 21, 2023

Living with an Interstitial Lung Disease
, | Oct 24, 2023
Asthma Basics Workshop - National
, | Nov 09, 2023