BC screening gate · CAR/CSTR protocol

First decide screening versus diagnosis. Then decide eligibility.

A deliberately two-source tool: BC Cancer governs programme entry and risk assessment; CAR/CSTR governs the low-dose CT acquisition.

Symptoms that exclude screening

Answer this before considering age or smoking exposure.

Public BC programme entry criteria

This is a referral gate—not the programme risk calculator.

Age

years

Significant regular commercial-tobacco smoking history

CAR/CSTR LDCT protocol checklist

Apply only after programme eligibility is confirmed.

Full-inspiration breath-hold; supine, centred, arms above head. Document any position limitation and reschedule if temporary inability prevents an adequate screening acquisition.
Localizer covers the chest without routinely extending beyond the mandible or iliac crest. Include the entire lungs; the adrenals do not need to be included.
At least 16 detector rows, helical acquisition and patient-size-adjusted technique; automatic exposure control is recommended.
No contrast media.
Lung/sharp reconstructions in axial, coronal and sagittal planes; soft-tissue reconstruction at least in the axial plane.
Recommended reconstruction thickness ≤1.25 mm; maximum 2.5 mm. Slice spacing must be no greater than slice thickness.
CTDIvol ≤3.0 mGy for a standard 170 cm, 70 kg patient.

Evidence register

What governs this draft

Dated primary sources and their role in this draft.

Recommendation wording is condensed for point-of-care use. The dated primary source remains authoritative and must be rechecked before publication or institutional adoption.

BC Cancer 2026Who Should ScreenCurrent BC programme public eligibility gate

Age, smoking-history, symptom exclusion and mandatory programme risk assessment.

Open source ↗CAR/CSTRCT Screening for Lung Cancer and Recommended ProtocolCanadian thoracic-radiology screening guidance

Acquisition coverage, contrast, reconstruction and dose requirements.

Open source ↗