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Detect lung cancer early, when it's most treatable

Annual low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening is recommended for adults ages 50–80 who: 

  • Have a 20 pack-year smoking history, and
  • Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years 

LDCT uses significantly less radiation than a standard CT scan while producing detailed images that can detect lung cancer at its earliest stage, often before symptoms appear.

Why choose Inova for lung cancer screening 

Inova’s Lung Cancer Screening Program brings together a multidisciplinary team of board-certified experts, including:

If cancer is detected, your care is seamlessly coordinated by this specialized team to ensure the best outcomes. 
Inova patients also have access to: 

  • Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for precise diagnosis
  • Cutting-edge clinical trials and advanced treatment options
  • Minimally invasive thoracic surgery performed by nationally recognized experts 

Early detection saves

Why screening matters

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., claiming more lives each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Yet, early detection through screening can significantly improve survival rates and save lives. 

Recent updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have expanded coverage for LDCT screenings, making it easier for eligible individuals to access this life-saving test.

Find out if you're eligible

Power of possibility
 Larry's story: Lung cancer survivor thriving in his 80s

When 85-year-old Larry Fox was diagnosed with lung cancer, he opted out of surgery and chose a groundbreaking treatment plan at Inova Schar Cancer. In this powerful video, hear how proton therapy, clinical trials, and a closely coordinated care team helped him beat the odds. Larry’s story shows what’s possible when precision medicine meets deeply personalized care. Don’t miss this firsthand look at a patient-centered model that’s redefining the future of thoracic oncology.

Lung cancer often begins in the airways or small air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs and can develop over many years before symptoms appear. It’s one of the most common and serious cancers, but early detection through screening can save lives.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Persistent cough or chest pain
  • Shortness of breath or wheezing
  • Repeated lung infections
  • Coughing up blood or rust-colored mucus
  • Unexplained fatigue or weight loss

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider if they don’t improve.

Esophageal cancer develops in the esophagus – the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and helps move food for digestion. Most esophageal cancers begin in the inner lining of the esophagus and grow outward over time.

This cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, and signs typically appear once the disease has advanced.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Chest, throat, or back pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Hoarseness or a persistent cough
  • Vomiting
  • Dark or bloody stools
  • Ongoing heartburn or indigestion

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider if they persist or worsen.

Clinical trials in cancer

Adult and pediatric cancer patients receiving care from Inova Thoracic Oncology Program have access to promising investigational drugs and therapies through a variety of clinical research trials.  See the latest in clinical trials

Inova Schar Cancer
8081 Innovation Park Dr Fairfax, VA 22031
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Phone: 571-472-4724
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