Can You Test for Lung Cancer at Home?

While there are several home tests you can use to screen for some cancers, such as colon cancer, the same options aren’t available for lung cancer. While similar tests are in development, at this time, only a doctor can run tests to determine if you have lung cancer.

The only current option for an at-home lung cancer screening test is a multicancer early detection (MCED) test. As the name suggests, MCEDs, such as the Galleri test, can screen for multiple cancers at once. While these tests hold great promise, the scientific consensus is that more research is needed before we can fully count on them.

You can request test kits online, but you may still need to visit a clinic to take a blood sample. If you receive an abnormal test result, the testing company will refer you to a doctor for a CT scan.

Galleri test

While several tests are in the works, the Galleri test has been through some clinical trials. It’s a liquid biopsy test that can identify signals in the blood present in many cancers. It can also predict where in the body the signal is located.

The Galleri test is still undergoing clinical trials. Researchers say it can identify very small amounts of cancer that other tests may miss. Some researchers claim it can find cancer in the very early stages when it’s easier to treat.

You can request a Galleri test online through telemedicine. You still need to visit a laboratory or a doctor for a simple blood draw. As of January 2023, the test costs $949.

At-home tests offer greater convenience and may enable some people to find lung cancer earlier than they otherwise would’ve. Still, they come with some risks.

While doctors may order some MCEDs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t cleared or approved any of them.

False positives

A false positive result occurs when a test identifies cancer, but no cancer is present. This can lead to further testing and increases the risk of side effects from those tests.

According to 2021 research, only 44.4% of people with a positive result end up with a cancer diagnosis. But supporters of MCEDs say that these rates are better than rates for traditional screening tests.

Overdiagnosis

Because MCEDs may find small traces of cancer markers, they could lead to the diagnosis of a condition that may never cause symptoms. This could lead to unnecessary treatment and side effects.

A doctor will first ask about your medical history and symptoms and conduct a physical exam.

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

• sudden, persistent cough
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• excessive sweating

If you’re between 50 and 80 years old, have a history of heavy smoking, and smoke now or within the past 15 years, a doctor might recommend you get a lung cancer screening test, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of your body. They may be used to both diagnose and screen for lung cancer.

The most common screening tool for lung cancer is low dose computed tomography scan (LDCT). But other imaging tests for diagnosis may include:

• chest X-ray
• MRI scan
• positron emission tomography scan

Sputum cytology

A doctor will send a sample of mucus coughed up from your lungs (sputum) to a lab to check for cancer cells.

Thoracentesis

A doctor can remove some of the fluid collected around your lungs. They’ll insert a needle between your ribs to drain the fluid and then send it to a lab to check for cancer cells.

Needle biopsy

During a biopsy, a doctor guides a needle into a mass or tumor to obtain a small tissue sample. They then send the sample to a lab for further testing.

Genetic testing

If you receive a diagnosis of lung cancer from a doctor, genetic testing can help them find out which targeted treatments might be the most effective in treating your cancer.

The presence of gene mutations could guide your treatment. Examples of affected genes include:

• KRAS
• EGFR (HER1)
• ALK
• ROS1
• RET
• BRAF
• MET
• NTRK
• PIK3CA
• PD-L1

A doctor will review the type and stage of your lung cancer and discuss treatment options. You may also want to get a second opinion at this time.

A doctor will also run more tests, such as genetic testing, to help understand which treatment options will likely work the best to treat your cancer.

Can a finger test let you know if you have lung cancer?

A test known as the Schamroth window test can sometimes identify a rare deformity in the fingers known as digital clubbing.

When you press your fingernails together, you should be able to see a diamond-shaped gap between them. If you don’t see this gap, you could have finger clubbing, which could be a symptom of lung cancer.

Finger clubbing could be a symptom of other conditions, too. So, it’s important to meet with a doctor for further testing.

How much do at-home lung cancer tests cost?

Some MCEDs can cost as little as $189. The Galleri test costs $949.

Insurance doesn’t usually cover these tests, but you may be able to use a health savings account or flexible spending account to pay for a test.

Will insurance or Medicare cover the cost of lung cancer screening?

Most insurance plans and Medicare help pay for LDCT scans if they’re recommended based on your age and smoking history.

Though at-home tests are available, they can’t rule in or rule out lung cancer on their own. Review the results with a doctor, who can use them together with other tests, such as imaging and a biopsy, to help make a diagnosis. Only a doctor can interpret the results of these tests and recommend next steps.