A 15-Minute Scan Can Catch Lung Cancer Early – Before It Spreads
1 December 2025
Woman kissing a smiling baby on the cheek; they are both in front of a white background.

Share this article

Do you have 15 minutes to spare? That’s all it takes to check in on one of the most important organs in your body. Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., not because it’s untreatable, but because it’s usually caught too late. By the time symptoms show up, the disease has often spread. But with a quick, non-invasive low-dose CT (LDCT) lung scan, we can detect potential problems before they become life-threatening.


At Life Guard Imaging of Phoenix, we believe in giving you options, not outcomes. Early detection is where we can make the biggest difference.

Why a Low-Dose CT Scan Is So Powerful

A low-dose CT scan takes a series of detailed images of your lungs, allowing us to spot even the tiniest abnormality. You lie down. The scanner passes over your body. No injections, no sedation, no claustrophobia, and it’s all over in minutes. What makes this test so effective?


  • It catches nodules early, often years before they become symptomatic.
  • It operates silently in the background of your life, while you’re still feeling fine.
  • It improves survival odds dramatically. When lung cancer is caught at Stage 1, survival rates can exceed 90%. Wait until symptoms show up, and that number drops fast.

Who Should Be Thinking About Lung Screening?

You don’t need a referral. You just need to know your risk and be proactive. A lung screening CT scan is especially recommended for:


  • Adults 50 to 80 years old.
  • Current or former smokers (who quit within the past 15 years).
  • People with a 20 pack-year smoking history (that’s one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10).
  • Anyone with significant exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, or other environmental toxins.



If that’s you (or someone you love), then it’s time to stop wondering and start knowing.

It’s Fast, Easy, and Worth It

There’s no long prep. You don’t need someone to drive you home. You can get scanned on your lunch break and go right back to your day. Peace of mind doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be available. That’s what Life Guard Imaging offers. We’re here for people who believe that prevention is power. Those who don’t want to wait until something feels wrong to check if something is wrong. Those who want to know, not guess.

One Scan Can Change the Story

Lung cancer doesn’t have to be a silent killer. Not anymore. With a low-dose CT scan, you have the chance to rewrite the story: early and confidently. You don’t need to wait for symptoms. You don’t need a referral. You just need 15 minutes. Call Life Guard Imaging of Phoenix at (623) 264-7118 to schedule your lung scan today.

< Older Post

 Newer Post >

Recent Posts

Our Values: Why Preventative Screening & Medical Imaging Matters So Much to Us

3 December 2025
For most people, work is just work. It’s a paycheck and even a way to get through the day. For us, Life Guard Imaging is personal. We’re here because of a loss—a loss that shouldn’t have happened. A loss that changed everything—one that could have been prevented with preventative medical imaging, the very tool we now use to help others avoid the same fate. Our founder, Frankie Maldonado, lost his father nearly 25 years ago to pancreatic cancer. A disease that, if caught earlier, might not have taken him so soon. His father—a doctor himself—spent his life saving others, yet when it was his turn, the technology available at the time missed the signs. It wasn’t because he didn’t seek care. It wasn’t because he didn’t take his health seriously. It was because the right tools didn’t exist for early detection. So, we created Life Guard Imaging to change that.

Less-Invasive, Just as Effective: Are Virtual Colonoscopies as Effective as Regular Ones?

2 December 2025
No one gets excited about scheduling a colonoscopy, but when it comes to colorectal cancer, catching it early can be life-saving. And for many people, the fear of discomfort or anesthesia is enough to delay or avoid traditional screening altogether. A Virtual Colonoscopy from Life Guard Imaging in Phoenix can truly be a life-saver in these situations. It’s a less invasive, highly effective alternative that gives you critical answers—without the stress.

Osteoporosis and Bone Density Scans: What Your Score Means

2 December 2025
You don’t feel your bones getting weaker. You don’t hear it happening. Unfortunately, there’s really no warning sign. Osteoporosis is silently affecting millions of people—often without a single symptom until a fracture occurs. And by then, the damage is already done. The best time to act is before that happens. And a bone density scan in Tampa is the first step. Here’s what to expect, and what your score means.

What Can Chest CT Scans Show That X-Rays Can’t?

2 December 2025
You go in with a cough. The doctor orders a chest X-ray. It comes back “clear.” You’re relieved—until the symptoms stick around. Sound familiar? X-rays have been a go-to diagnostic tool for decades. And they’re great—for some things. But when it comes to catching serious conditions early, a chest CT scan can reveal what an X-ray simply can’t. At Life Guard Imaging in Phoenix, we offer low-dose CT chest scans designed specifically for preventative care—to give you answers before a problem becomes a diagnosis.

How Often Should Women Get Bone Density Scans?

2 December 2025
Most women don’t think about their bones until something breaks. But by then, it’s already too late. Bone density scans aren’t just for the elderly. They’re one of the smartest, most proactive steps women can take to guard against osteoporosis—a condition that quietly weakens bones and increases the risk of serious fractures. At Life Guard Imaging in Tampa, we’re focused on catching health issues before they catch you. That’s why we offer CT-based bone density scans as part of our larger preventative care approach. It’s not a replacement for your doctor’s advice—but it is a powerful, complementary tool that helps you stay ahead.

How Much Does a Missed Diagnosis Cost? The Case for Early Imaging

2 December 2025
You can’t put a price on peace of mind. But you can tally the cost of a missed diagnosis. And it’s staggering. From mounting hospital bills and delayed treatments to irreversible health damage and missed moments with loved ones—the true cost isn’t just financial or emotional. It’s highly personal, and in many cases, it’s entirely preventable with a simple scan. At Life Guard Imaging in Phoenix, we believe early detection is a strategy. One that complements—not replaces—your primary care. One that gives you a clear picture of your health before symptoms force you into action.

What Illnesses Can Calcium Scoring Detect?

2 December 2025
Just hearing the word “MRI” makes some people sweat. Maybe you’ve been there: sliding into a narrow, loud tunnel, toughing it out. Or maybe you couldn’t do it at all. If claustrophobia has ever kept you from getting the imaging you need—we have good news. CT scans are not as claustrophobic as MRIs. At Life Guard Imaging in Tampa, we use low-dose CT scans that are quick, open, and far less intimidating than traditional MRIs. And when it comes to preventative care, we know that comfort matters just as much as accuracy.

Are CT Scans as Claustrophobic as MRIs?

2 December 2025
Just hearing the word “MRI” makes some people sweat. Maybe you’ve been there: sliding into a narrow, loud tunnel, toughing it out. Or maybe you couldn’t do it at all. If claustrophobia has ever kept you from getting the imaging you need—we have good news. CT scans are not as claustrophobic as MRIs. At Life Guard Imaging in Tampa, we use low-dose CT scans that are quick, open, and far less intimidating than traditional MRIs. And when it comes to preventative care, we know that comfort matters just as much as accuracy.

Imaging vs. Traditional Checkups: Why Both Matter

2 December 2025
You make the appointment. You get your blood pressure checked, maybe step on the scale, chat about stress and sleep. If anything seems off, your doctor might order some labs. This is the annual physical—a long-standing staple of responsible healthcare that’s so important. But what if your body is holding onto something your physical exam can’t see? Preventative imaging offers a deeper, clearer look inside your body, complementing your doctor’s work to provide a full picture of your health.

What Does a Coronary Calcium Score Tell You About Heart Health?

2 December 2025
Most people don’t think twice about their heart—until it gives them a reason to. The truth is, heart disease often builds quietly over time, without symptoms, without warning, and without giving you a chance to react. Fortunately, coronary calcium scoring is a powerful tool. It doesn’t wait for symptoms to appear. This scan gives you a clear look at what’s happening inside your arteries today, so you can make smarter choices for tomorrow. At Life Guard Imaging in Phoenix, we believe in catching conditions before they become crises. Our coronary artery calcium scan is one of the most effective first steps in preventative care—and it’s easier than you think.