Health officials say lung cancer has a survival rate of only 15 percent, but a new test in Mercer County may detect the disease in its earlier and most curable stages.

A new study on lung cancer detection shows CAT scan machines can find very early signs of the disease, increasing the survival rate to more than 80 percent. Before, doctors say they relied on chest X-rays after patients came in with symptoms. However, they say the X-rays were much less detailed.

Capital Health System?s new screening program in Mercer County is only for patients who are older than 50 and who have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. The tests cost $200 because they are not yet covered by insurance.