Hi all, I've been following this discussion. You'll notice that I changed the title to "Small lung nodules: How often should they be scanned / monitored?" I think this topic will interest additional members of the Lung Health group, such as @rdunnigan @grecarmar @marfan1 @pattymac @bartlett36 and @sheker

How often one should get scanned or having imaging tests done really depends on the individual and their risk factors. It's really important to talk with your specialist to make sure you're getting the right tests with the best frequency for you.

Choosing Wisely is an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation that seeks to advance a national dialogue on avoiding unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures. I looked up some information about pulmonary (lung) nodules on their site and found these 2 articles of interest:
- Five Commonly Performed Tests and Treatments in Pulmonary Medicine May Not Always Be Necessary http://www.choosingwisely.org/five-commonly-performed-tests-and-treatments-in-pulmonary-medicine-may-not-always-be-necessary/
- ACCP and ATS – CT surveillance to evaluate indeterminate pulmonary nodules http://www.choosingwisely.org/clinician-lists/american-college-chest-physicians-american-thoracic-society-ct-surveillance-to-evaluate-indeterminate-pulmonary-nodules/

This short article from Mayo Clinic may also help:
- Can lung nodules be cancerous? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/expert-answers/lung-nodules/faq-20058445

Above all, it's important to ask questions. If the suggested frequency of testing make you uncomfortable, tell your doctor and talk about it. Ask questions like:
- How often should I get a CT scan?
- What do you recommend this frequency?
- Would getting scanned more often be harmful for me? Why?