CT Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening advocates have another major organization on their side. The American Cancer Society published guidelines recommending CT screening for long-term and current smokers.

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), the largest randomized lung screening trial ever conducted, showed a substantial benefit for heavy smokers aged 55-74 who were screened for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans. CT screening identified more lung cancers at earlier stages resulting in a significant decrease (20 percent ) in lung cancer mortality in the screened group.

While the results of the NLST are encouraging for early lung cancer detection, additional unexpected benefits require supplementary research.

UCSF has launched the Lung Cancer Screening Program, an initiative designed for early cancer detection through low- dose CT.

This is the second installment of a two-part series on screening for lung cancer with CT.

This is the first installment of a two-part discussion on screening for lung cancer with CT.