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Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Here are some suggested questions to ask your doctor. 

  • How do I know if I am at high risk for lung cancer? 
  • I am at high risk for lung cancer. Do you recommend that I get screened for lung cancer? 
  • I do not smoke at all, but I am exposed to smokers all the time. Do you recommend that I get screened for lung cancer? 
  • What are the risks and benefits of LDCT screening? Are there any side effects of screening? 
  • Will I get lung cancer from LDCT screening? 
  • How much is LDCT screening? Is it covered by insurance? 
  • How long will it take to get screening results? 
  • If the results show that I may have lung cancer, will I need more tests to be sure? 
  • Can you provide resources and ways to help me quit smoking? 
  • What else can I do to lower my risk of lung cancer? 

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider

Here are some suggested questions to ask your insurance provider. To contact your insurance provider, check the back of your insurance card and call the phone number listed. Make sure you have your insurance plan and group ID ready.

  • Do I need to go to my doctor before I get screened to get a referral or preauthorization? 
  • Who must this referral or preauthorization be sent to? 
  • Will my physician submit it or must I? 
  • What paperwork do I need to complete before or after that visit to ensure my screening is covered by insurance? 
  • Is there a certain place (facility or center) I need to go to for my screening?  
  • If the nearest facility is too far away from where I live, what do I do? 
  • Are all the costs of the screening completely covered or will I be charged any out of pocket expenses? 
  • Will I need to pay a facility fee? 
  • Can you give me the cost estimate in writing? 
  • Who do I follow-up with after my screening?  
  • Is my follow-up doctor’s visit covered under my insurance? 
  • What are the expected out of pocket expenses for the follow-up visit? 
  • What follow-up tests will I need if something is detected during screening and will my insurance cover those tests?  
  • If my doctor recommends screening every year, will it be covered by my insurance? 
  • Will my insurance cover counseling and medications that can help me quit smoking? 

Chinese Americans and Lung Cancer

  • Lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer diagnosed among Chinese American males and the 4th most common cancer diagnosed among Chinese American females. 
  • Lung cancer is a growing concern among the Chinese American community due to the high prevalence of cigarette smoking among Chinese American men. 
  • However, 17.9% of men and women with lung cancer are non-smokers. 
  • People in certain occupations such as livery driving, restaurant and construction work are at greater risk for lung cancer due to constant environmental exposure to harmful particles and black carbon pollution. 
  • Other risk factors for lung cancer include increasing age, family history, and existing health conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.  

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Most of these symptoms can be caused by something other than lung cancer. Still, if you have any of these problems, it is important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed. 
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are: 

  • A cough that does not go away or gets worse 
  • Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm) 
  • Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing 
  • Hoarseness 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Unexplained weight loss 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Feeling tired or weak 
  • Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back 
  • New onset of wheezing 

What do the Results of the Scan Mean?

What do results mean? 

  • A “positive” result means that the low-dose CT scan found something suspicious. Your doctor will discuss the findings with you and may recommend additional scans or tests, such as a chest X-ray, a PET scan, or a biopsy. 
  • A “negative” result means there are no abnormal findings at this time on this low-dose CT scan.  You should continue with yearly screenings to check your lungs. 
  • An “indeterminate” result means that something was found, but there is no clear evidence that it is cancer. Your doctor will discuss next steps with you and may recommend additional screenings. 

More Resources on Lung Screening
and Smoking Cessation

Lung Screening Information

Lung Health and Disease Information

Resources to help quit smoking

Resources for Physicians >

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