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Lung Cancer Screening and Early Detection

 

CT ImageLANDMARK STUDY SHOWS 10 YEAR SURVIVAL RATE OF 92%

 

On Wednesday, October 26, 2006 the New England Journal of Medicine published a paper by Claudia Henschke, MD and David Yankelevitz, MD founders and principle investigators of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) on the results of their 13 year study on screening for lung cancer. 

The landmark study found that with CT Screening lung cancer can be detected at the earliest stage (Stage I) in 85% of patients and can lead to an estimated 10 year survival rate of 88%.  The estimated 10 year survival rate goes even higher, to 92%, for those whose early detected cancers are removed immediately.

View LCA Press Release (PDF) >>

 

Related News Stories

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LUNG CANCER ALLIANCE POSITION ON EARLY DETECTION

Click here to view entire position paper (.pdf)

 As an organization whose mission is to advocate for those with and at risk for lung cancer, it is our responsibility and our obligation to take a position on the issue of lung cancer screening, to exert pressure on the public health policy establishment and to draw the public into this debate from which they have been effectively excluded.

In order to ensure the most rapid and responsible dissemination of this potential benefit, screening for lung cancer in high risk populations, LCA recommends that the following people have a detailed discussion with their physician regarding the potential risks and benefits of undergoing a baseline CT scan:

  • Any smoker or former smoker over age 50 with a greater than 10 pack year history of cigarette smoking. (A pack year is equal to one pack a day for one year);
  • Any adult with significant exposure to cigarettes and a first degree relative (mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter) who was diagnosed with lung cancer before age 50.  
  • The following groups should also consider a discussion about screening with their doctors:
  • Veterans who had active duty on submarines, in Vietnam or the Gulf War, and had exposure to asbestos, nuclear propulsion, herbicides, battlefield emissions or other carcinogens;
  • Past and present employees in munitions plants (who may already be eligible for free screening under the Department of Energy’s Worker Health Protection Program);
  • People exposed regularly to second-hand smoke (i.e. airline personnel, hospitality industry workers), or radon, or those working with asbestos or other known carcinogens. 

 

LCA WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR: 

Congressional enactment of legislation on quality standards for credentialing of LDCT scanning centers and quality standards for scanning sites, equipment, personnel, data collection and pooling of data to permit the establishment of the most effective and economical approach to establishing a national lung cancer screening program.

  • Pilot screening and early disease management programs based on the I-ELCAP protocols within TRICARE, VA, and Medicare, to transfer, train and refine best practices for optimal screening practice.
  • Development of computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) software programs to make CT screening for lung cancer as efficient and cost-effective as CT screening of checked luggage, which the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) developed expeditiously through a meaningful commitment of federal and private funding.
  • Assistance of the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) in developing measuring tools to facilitate CAD and quality controls for CT screening standards.
  • Orphan Drug-type incentive program to expedite the development of drugs for pre-cancerous lung conditions and for more effective early and late stage drugs and targeted therapies.
  • Other measures to ensure co-development of CT screening as a combined imaging platform for tobacco-induced heart disease as well as COPD/emphysema to maximize public health benefit while achieving cost efficiencies.

  

  

WHERE TO GET A CT SCAN 

For those who choose to receive a scan, we recommend that it be performed at centers that have a multi-slice scanner (preferably 16 slice or better), experience with CT screening, a high volume of lung scans and a well developed protocol, such as the I-ELCAP protocol, for reading scans. In addition, a multi-disciplinary team of doctors should review the scan. Centers that meet such qualifications include: