Screening for lung cancer

by Specialist

Tests or tests can be used to screen for different types of cancer when the body has no symptoms.

Scientists study screening tests so that they can discover the screening methods that do the least harm and the most good. Cancer screening tests are also conducted to demonstrate whether early detection (finding cancer before symptoms appear) can help prolong life or reduce the risk of dying from the disease.For some types of cancer, the chances of recovery are greater if they are detected and treated early.

Researchers evaluated three screening methods for lung cancer to determine if they reduce the risk of death from lung cancer.

Researchers studied the following screening tests to see if they reduced the risk of dying from lung cancer:

  • Low-dose spiral CT scan (LDCT scan): A method that uses low-dose radiation to produce a series of detailed images of an area of the body. Its uses an X-ray machine to scan the body in a spiral format.These images are generated by a computer that is connected to the X-ray machine.
  • Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones in the chest cavity. x-rays are a beam of energy that penetrates the body and is imaged on film to form an image of an area of the body.
  • Sputum cytology: Sputum cytology is a method of looking at sputum specimens (mucus coughed up from the lungs) under a microscope to check for the presence of cancer cells.

    Low-dose spiral CT scans have been shown to reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer in heavy smokers.

    The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial was conducted in heavy smokers aged 55-74 years who smoked at least 1 pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or more.This trial also included heavy smokers who had quit smoking for less than 15 years.This trial used chest x-rays or LDCT scans to screen for lung cancer.

    LDCT scans were superior to chest x-rays in detecting early lung cancer, and LDCT screening also reduced the risk of death from lung cancer in current and former heavy smokers.

    Current smokers with suspected signs of cancer on LDCT scans are more likely to quit.

    There are guidelines for lung cancer screening available for patients and physicians to learn more about the benefits and harms of low-dose spiral CT screening for lung cancer.    

    Chest X-rays and/or sputum cytology screening do not reduce the risk of death from lung cancer.

    Chest x-ray and sputum cytology screening are two lung cancer screening methods. Chest X-ray screening, sputum cytology screening, or a combination of the two did not reduce the risk of death from lung cancer.

    Screening trials for lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials.

    Information on NCI-supported clinical trials is available on the NCI Clinical Trials Search page.Clinical trials supported by other organizations are available on ClinicalTrials.gov.