イメージHealth checkup facilities offering Lung CT (Low-Dose CT) in Shiga
A CT scan of the chest aimed at the early detection of lung cancer
What Lung CT (Low-Dose CT) can reveal & when to get it
This scan images the lungs using a lower radiation dose than a standard CT, and is used to detect small pulmonary nodules and early-stage lung cancer that may be missed on a chest X-ray. It is considered particularly useful for individuals at high risk of lung cancer, such as smokers.
Main conditions it can detect and evaluate
- Lung cancer and pulmonary nodules
- Findings suggestive of emphysema and COPD
- Findings suggestive of interstitial pneumonia
When to consider this test
Japan's organized lung cancer screening program uses chest X-ray (with sputum cytology when indicated) for adults aged 40 and over, once a year. A 2025 effectiveness-evaluation guideline found evidence supporting low-dose CT for heavy smokers (roughly ages 50–74); however, formal adoption into the national population-based screening program has not yet occurred, and low-dose CT is currently offered mainly as an optional (voluntary) examination.
Screening interval: Optional (voluntary) basis. For heavy smokers, once a year is the general guideline (effectiveness evaluated in the 2025 guidelines). Please consult your physician.
Benefits
- ○Better at detecting smaller lesions than a chest X-ray
- ○Lower radiation exposure compared with a standard CT
- ○May lead to earlier detection of lung cancer in heavy smokers
Points to note when getting tested
- !Involves X-ray radiation exposure (low-dose, but not zero)
- !Benign nodules are frequently detected, which may require follow-up monitoring or additional testing
- !The balance of benefits and harms for non-heavy smokers has not been fully established
Facilities offering Lung CT (Low-Dose CT) in Shiga
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