Doctors from the Bennett Cancer Center in Stamford are urging previous heavy smokers over the age of 50 to get a screening.

News 12's Mark Sudol spoke to Patricia Sheary, of Darien, who was a heavy smoker. She claims the screening saved her life.

"I'm so glad I acted on that, and it’s so easy to have a scan,” she told News 12.

Doctors found cancer and were able to get rid of it with surgery. There was no need for radiation or chemotherapy.

"Most of the time – people with lung cancer are diagnosed at [stage] 3 or 4, and that's why they die,” Sheary, says.

Dr. Michael Ebright, at the Bennett Cancer Center, performed the surgery on Sheary.

He says early detection is so important but only 2% of patients who are eligible for lung cancer screening are actually getting screened.

Ebright encourages the following people to get screened:

Sheary credits doctors with saving her life.

"I am one of the lucky ones," she said.