• ER Wait Times

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    Less than 30 minutes

    Newton-Wellesley Hospital

    2014 Washington Street

    Newton, MA 02462

    617-243-6000

    Walk-In Wait Time
    Walk-In wait times explained

    Currently Closed

    Newton-Wellesley Hospital Waltham Walk-In

    9 Hope Ave

    Waltham, MA 02453

    617-243-5590

    Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

    Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

    Sunday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

    View Holiday Hours
    In case of emergency call 9-1-1

      Wait times are approximate and subject to change

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Newton-Wellesley Hospital

2014 Washington Street

Newton, MA 02462

617-243-6000

Open 24 hours
Lab Hours and Holiday Hours Vary
 

Get Directions | View Hours

Ambulatory Care Center - Natick

307 W Central St

Natick, MA 01760

617-243-5345

Get Directions | View Hours

Ambulatory Care Center - Newton

159 Wells Ave

Newton Centre, MA 02459

617-243-6000

Get Directions | View Hours

Ambulatory Care Center - Walpole

111 Norfolk Street

Walpole, MA 02081maps

617-243-5345

Get Directions | View Hours

Ambulatory Care Center – Wellesley

978 Worcester Road (rte 9)

Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482

781-235-5200

Get Directions | View Hours

Maxwell Blum Emergency Pavilion

2014 Washington Street

Newton, MA 02462

617-243-6000

Open 24 hours

Lab Hours and Holiday Hours Vary

Get Directions | View Hours

Outpatient Surgery Center - Wellesley

25 Washington Street

Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481

617-219-1520

Get Directions | View Hours

Waltham Walk-In

9 Hope Ave

Waltham, MA 02453

617-243-5590

Monday through Saturday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Sunday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Lab Hours and Holiday Hours Vary

Get Directions | View Hours

Our Locations

  • Newton-Wellesley Hospital
  • Ambulatory Care Center - Natick
  • Ambulatory Care Center - Newton
  • Ambulatory Care Center - Walpole
  • Ambulatory Care Center – Wellesley
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  • Outpatient Surgery Center - Wellesley
  • Waltham Walk-In
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Low-Dose CT Scan
Request an Appointment
or call us 617-219-1230

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Low-Dose CT Scan

Learn about the benefits of this advanced test for lung cancer.

If you’re at high risk for developing lung cancer, it’s important to undergo regular screening for the disease. That’s why we offer our lung cancer screening program, which is nationally accredited by the American College of Radiology. We use low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to take images of your lungs, which can show us if you may be developing lung cancer.

We screen patients according to national guidelines set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends annual low-dose CT scans for adults at high risk for lung cancer who haven’t reported symptoms of the disease. If you meet all of the following criteria, you’re considered a good candidate for low-dose CT screening:

  • Age 55 to 77 (Age range may include patients up to 80 years of age depending upon your insurance and hospital system.)
  • A 30 or greater pack-year history of smoking (meaning you smoke or used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years, etc.)
  • Current smoker or an ex-smoker who quit within the last 15 years

Studies have shown that patients who meet these criteria and receive regular low-dose CT scans have a lower risk of dying from lung cancer compared to patients who just receive X-ray screening, as well as higher rates of lung cancer diagnosis in the early stages of the disease.

Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-219-1230

What to Expect from Your Low-Dose CT Scan

Let your doctor know ahead of time if you currently have a respiratory tract infection, such as a cold, a sinus infection, or bronchitis, as well as if you’ve recently recovered from one. These infections can cause abnormal readings on your CT scan that might require additional scans. Your doctor might ask you to wait a few weeks to a month to make sure the infection has completely left your system.

Metal objects can interfere with the CT scan, so make sure you remove any metal objects you might be wearing or carrying before your scan, such as:

  • Dentures
  • Glasses
  • Hearing aids
  • Jewelry

Also, be sure to choose clothing that doesn’t include metal buttons or snaps. Women should avoid wearing a bra with an underwire on the day of their scan. If your clothing has too much metal, our technician might ask you to change into a hospital gown for your scan.

When the test begins, you’ll lie on a table on your back, and the table will slide through a CT machine. The table will slide through the machine, which may be loud or make knocking sounds. The CT scanner will create images of your lungs. The technician may ask you to hold your breath briefly to help the machine create a clearer image.

Your entire appointment will take about a half-hour, and the actual scan takes about a minute or two. Afterward, you can return to work or your normal activities with no restrictions. A radiologist will review your results and send a report to your referring doctor, who will go over the results with you.

It’s important to note that most patients won’t receive a lung cancer diagnosis following a low-dose CT scan. Less than 7 percent of study participants who had a suspicious result from their scan ended up being diagnosed with lung cancer.

If you’re a good candidate for low-dose CT scanning, it’s important for you to get tested every year. Regular testing can let you and your doctor lower your risk for lung cancer or detect it early for the best chances of successful treatment.

Schedule an Appointment

Connect with our team to discuss your cancer care options.
Call 617-219-1230 or

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Newton-Wellesley Hospital

2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Get Directions
617-243-6000

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