Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Low-dose CT screening
At Ascension Illinois in Chicago, Illinois, we provide lung screenings and personalized care for lung cancer and lung nodules.
Lung cancer screening in Chicagoland
At Ascension Illinois in Chicago, we provide lung screenings and personalized care for lung cancer and lung nodules
About lung cancer screenings at Ascension Illinois
A lung screening helps you and your doctor better understand your lung health. Getting a low-dose CT scan may help find lung nodules or cancer early, when it is often most treatable. Finding cancer early may mean more treatment options. At Ascension Illinois in Chicago, we provide advanced screening and surveillance for lung nodules and lung cancer. A lung scan can also help diagnose lung fibrosis, COPD and other breathing disorders.
Screen early. Breathe easy.
If you're age 50 or older and currently smoke or have quit smoking, a lung scan is key to knowing your risk of lung cancer.
Talk to a doctor about a lung screening if you:
- Are between age 50 and 80
- Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history, such as smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years
A referral from your doctor is needed for a low-dose CT scan. If you don’t have a doctor’s order, you can meet virtually with a nurse practitioner at Ascension Illinois to see if a lung screening is right for you. If you’re a candidate for a lung screening, we'll send a doctor’s order for you.
Call to schedule your lung screening appointment at Northwest suburbs: 877- 717- 7700
Saint Joseph Chicago: 773 - 665-9920
Understanding a low-dose CT screening
A CT lung screening uses an X-ray device that rotates around your body to create cross-sectional images of the inside of your lungs. When you arrive for your test, you’ll change into a gown and lie on a table that slides in and out of a large tube, called a CT scanner. This test is a painless imaging test that takes only a few minutes. After the scan, a radiologist reviews the images and prepares a report for your doctor. With a clearer picture of your lung health, your doctor can create a care plan that’s right for you.
Medicare and many private insurers may cover a CT scan for people at high risk. For many people who are at high-risk, your first scan may be covered without a copay.
Check with your insurance provider before scheduling to understand your coverage. Low-dose CT screening may be covered by various insurance plans as well as Medicare for those who meet certain high-risk criteria. If you have Medicare Part B and meet certain qualifications, your screening may be covered. A referral from your doctor is required.
Get connected to lung specialists
At Ascension Illinois, our care teams are ready to answer your questions about lung screenings and any other screenings you may need. If you need additional care, including more advanced treatment options, you are connected to specialists and compassionate care teams who take the time to explain procedures and walk you through every step.
Smoking cessation program in Chicago
If you’re ready to quit smoking, we’re here to help. Our smoking cessation program provides in-person and virtual education on the effects of smoking, what happens to your body when you quit smoking and tools to help you quit. You can also join our support group, where you can talk with others who are trying to quit smoking. The group is led by trained nurses who are certified instructors.
The program is complimentary, thanks to support from the Ascension Illinois Foundation. To register for an upcoming date, call 844-952-HOPE or see the class schedule and register online.
Get a second opinion on your cancer diagnosis or care plan
When you are facing a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our lung cancer specialists in Chicagoland can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Frequently asked questions about our lung cancer care services
Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health to support for your family and caregivers. At Ascension Illinois, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. Our pulmonologists are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.
At Ascension Illinois cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.
Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.
This service requires a referral
To learn how to get a referral, call:
- Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago — UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center: 773-665-9920
- Ascension Alexian Brothers and Saint Alexius— Cancer Center: 844-952-HOPE (4673)
If your doctor is referring you, they can use these same phone numbers to get everything set up.
Ascension Saint Alexius Cancer Care - Hoffman Estates
1555 North Barrington Rd Building 3, Ste. 1400
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Ascension Alexian Brothers - Cancer Care Elk Grove
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago - UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
2845 North Sheridan Rd #1300
Chicago, IL 60657
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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