Screening and Prevention with $75 Lung Scans: Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Category: Educational
Posted On: Nov 5, 2026

Your lung health plays an important role in your overall well-being. According to Lung.org, the current rate of new lung cancer cases in Oklahoma is 63.2 people per 100,000, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 52.8. Our state ranks 42^nd among the 50 states, placing Oklahoma above average in the number of new lung cancer cases per 100,000 people.

During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Norman Regional Health System encourages patients to learn about lung cancer risks, recognize changes in their breathing and talk with their doctor about screening and prevention.

Lung cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making awareness and early detection especially important. Understanding your risk factors and knowing when to seek care can help you and your care team make informed decisions about your lung health.

What is a Lung Cancer Screening?

A lung cancer screening, also known as a lung scan, consists of a noninvasive computed tomography (CT) scan. This scan is a screening tool that uses a low dose of radiation to create detailed images of the body, in this case, the lungs. Screening is intended for people who meet specific risk-based criteria, rather than everyone in the general population.

You may be eligible for a lung screening if you:

Are 50 to 80 years old, and

Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, and
Have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history (packs per day × years smoked)

Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but other factors can also contribute to a person's risk, including exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, and certain workplace substances.

Your personal risk may depend on your smoking history, environmental exposures, family history and other factors. Even if you feel healthy, it's worth discussing your lung cancer risk with your doctor, especially if you have a history of smoking.

No physician referral is needed to receive a lung scan. Please note that payment for the lung scan is due at the time of service.

A low-dose CT scan can help detect lung cancer before symptoms develop in eligible individuals. However, screening does not replace medical evaluation when symptoms or other concerns arise.

Talk with your physician or practitioner to determine whether a lung cancer screening is appropriate for you. They can review your smoking history and other risk factors and help you understand the potential benefits and limitations of the screening.

Norman Regional offers low-dose CT lung scans to help eligible patients take a proactive approach to their health. If an abnormality is found, additional evaluation may be recommended.

Know When to Talk to Your Doctor

Whether you have a history of smoking, live with a chronic lung condition or have questions about your lung health, talking with your physician or practitioner is an important first step.

For people who meet recommended eligibility criteria, a lung cancer screening can help detect cancer before symptoms develop.

“The chances of cancer survival is much better if you catch it sooner rather than later,” said Christi Snow, RN. “We’re trying to turn the Oklahoma rates around.”

Snow is Norman Regional Pulmonary Clinic’s Lung Nodule Navigator. She serves as a direct point of contact for patients navigating the lung imaging process, answering questions, coordinating follow-up appointments and guiding patients through additional testing, including biopsies. Her goal is to make sure no step in a patient’s care is overlooked.

Changes in your breathing or a persistent cough shouldn't be ignored. While these symptoms can have many causes, it's important to talk with your doctor if you experience:

Chest pain
Coughing that persists or worsens over time
Coughing up blood
Recurrent respiratory infections
Shortness of breath
Unexplained weight loss

Take Steps to Protect Your Lung Health

Ask about lung scans at Norman Regional
- Talk with your physician or practitioner about your personal risk factors and whether you qualify for an annual low-dose CT lung cancer screening performed by Norman Regional Imaging Services.
Keep follow-up appointments
- If imaging reveals a lung nodule, follow your healthcare team’s recommendations for monitoring or additional testing.
Talk about changes in your health
- Seek medical advice for a persistent cough, unexplained shortness of breath, coughing up blood or other concerning symptoms.
Explore smoking cessation resources
- If you smoke, ask your healthcare team about support to help you quit.

Norman Regional Health System’s pulmonary care team offers evaluation and treatment for lung conditions, and diagnostic services to help investigate concerning findings.

If a lung nodule is detected on a CT scan, Snow steps in to help patients understand what comes next. She reviews their doctor’s recommendations, explains their instructions and provides her direct phone number so patients have someone they can turn to with questions or concerns.

“The patients are usually scared,” said Snow. “Usually explaining step-by-step what they’re to expect helps calm them down, ease their nerves, and hopefully the can have a conversation with me to let me help them facilitate through this process.”

Don't put off your lung health. Talk with your physician or practitioner about your risk factors, recommended screenings and any concerns you have about your breathing.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to take a closer look at your lung health and have important conversations with your physician or practitioner. Knowing your risk, paying attention to symptoms and asking about appropriate screenings can help you take an active role in your care.

Specialized Pulmonary Care Close to Home

When you need answers about your breathing or lung health, having access to specialized care matters.

Norman Regional's Pulmonary Clinic provides evaluation and treatment for a variety of respiratory conditions, including lung nodules, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and respiratory infections.

The clinic also offers advanced diagnostic and treatment services, including:

Access to a Lung Nodule Navigator
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
Image-guided biopsy
Interventional pulmonology procedures
Referrals to Pulmonary Function Testing and Pulmonary Rehab

These services help our physicians and practitioners investigate lung concerns and develop care plans tailored to each patient's needs.

“We offer a lot here,” said Snow. “That’s nice for patients because they don’t have to go to the city or somewhere else. We are a one-stop-shop [for lung healthcare].”

Whether you're managing a chronic lung condition, following up on a lung nodule or exploring your treatment options, our pulmonary care team can help you take the next steps in your lung care.

$75 Lung Scans in November

For the month of November, you can receive a Lung Scan for $75 (normally $100), or a combination Heart and Lung Scan for a discounted price of $100 (normally $125).

That $75 you spend on a lung scan could save your life. Avoid being a statistic. Save money on a lung scan this November.

Learn more about Norman Regional Pulmonary Clinic, and the pulmonary services offered at Norman Regional Health System, including Pulmonary Function Testing and Pulmonary Rehab.

To contact Norman Regional's Pulmonary Clinic, call 405-515-4888. For information about a low-dose CT lung cancer screening performed in November for $75, call 405-307-2290.