Doctors said there is a medical test that may be able to detect lung cancer early.

Local 4 Dr. Frank McGeorge said the test is called a Spiral CT Scan. He said it is a painless test that can spot tumors in the lungs long before they cause symptoms.

Researchers said the routine scans save countless lives; however, critics argue the scans may also lead to unnecessary biopsies and surgeries.

McGeorge said a Spiral CT Scan costs about $700-$900, and Medicare and private insurers do not routinely par for this as a screening test. He added that recent research is increasing pressure to cover these scans -- especially for high-risk patients.

For more information on this procedure, go to www.lungcanceralliance.org.