Health
Earlier lung cancer detection
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 13, 2006
A study in the Oct. 26 New England Journal of Medicine found that an annual spiral CT screening can detect lung cancer at a much earlier and more curable stage. The late stage at which lung cancer is often detected has led to a low cure rate.
The success of the study, carried out in 31,567 asymptomatic men and women at risk for lung cancer, should reopen the debate over widespread screening for lung cancer, notes an editorial in the same issue. The new study also found that CT screening for lung cancer was similar in cost-effectiveness to mammography for breast cancer.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/11/13/hlbf1113.htm.