Low-dose CT screening can cut lung cancer deaths by 20% - but only if you're eligible. Learn who qualifies, what results mean, and how to get screened.
Read MoreLDCT Results: What Your Low-Dose CT Scan Shows and What to Do Next
When you get an LDCT results, low-dose computed tomography scans used for lung cancer screening in high-risk adults. Also known as low-dose CT scan, it’s a quick, non-invasive way to catch lung problems before symptoms appear—especially for people with a history of smoking or long-term exposure to lung irritants. Unlike regular CT scans, LDCT uses much less radiation, making it safe to repeat yearly if needed. But getting the scan is only half the story. What your LDCT results show next is what really matters.
Most people who get an LDCT scan will have some kind of finding—like a small pulmonary nodule, a small spot on the lung that’s usually less than 3 cm. Also known as lung nodule, it’s not always cancer. In fact, over 90% of nodules found on LDCT are harmless—caused by old infections, scar tissue, or even dust particles. But size, shape, and growth over time tell the real story. A nodule that grows more than 2 mm in a year needs closer look. Some nodules have calcifications, which are like tiny bits of calcium. These are usually signs of past infections and rarely cancer. Then there’s lung health, the overall condition of your lungs, including airflow, tissue integrity, and signs of chronic damage. Also known as respiratory health, it’s what your LDCT helps protect by catching issues early—before they turn into serious disease. If your scan shows emphysema, thickened airways, or fluid around the lungs, those aren’t cancer—but they’re red flags that your lungs are under stress. Smoking, pollution, or even past infections can cause these changes. Addressing them now can slow damage and improve your breathing long-term.
LDCT results don’t come with easy answers. They come with choices: wait and re-scan in 3 to 6 months? Get a biopsy? See a specialist? Your doctor will use guidelines from the American College of Radiology to decide what’s next based on nodule size, your age, smoking history, and other risks. You’re not alone in this—thousands of people get these results every year. What sets people apart is what they do after. Knowing what the scan showed, why it matters, and what steps to take next gives you control. Below, you’ll find real stories and clear breakdowns of what different LDCT findings mean, how doctors interpret them, and what actions actually make a difference in outcomes.