Early lung cancer diagnosis with CT scans may save thousands of lives
Failure to diagnose cancer while the tumor is still treatable leads to thousands of deaths each year. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on October 26, 2006 indicates that annual CT scans of the chest for smokers or former smokers could lead to earlier lung cancer diagnosis and significantly reduce the number of deaths each year.
Computerized chest scans are able to produce images of the lungs from multiple angles, which allows doctors to identify tumors before symptoms are present. This new study found that when lung cancer is diagnosed early and removed within one month, the 10 year rate of survival can be increased from 70% to 92%.
Although CAT scans have been available for several years, many doctors questioned whether the early detection would improve the long-term survival rates. Most health insurers do not currently cover the tests, forcing smokers to pay approximately $200 to $300 for the annual test if they want one.
Approximately 175,000 Americans receive a lung cancer diagnosis each year. Only 16% are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the lungs, and once it has spread the survival rate is very low. Annual CT scans would allow doctors to identify tumors before pain and difficulty breathing begins, and reduce the risk that early symptoms of cancer are misdiagnosed.
>>INFORMATION: Cancer misdiagnosis
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Annual CT scans for smokers could have the same impact that mammograms have had on the fatality rate for women with breast cancer. Health insurers should cover this simple scan, especially given the findings of this study. Diagnosing lung cancer while the tumor is small and treatable could save lives.
