health
CT screening reduces lung cancer mortality in high-risk people
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 11, 2011
Routine lung screening of heavy smokers and former smokers using low-dose computed tomography scans reduces lung cancer mortality by 20%, according to a study published online June 29 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers examined data on 53,454 people 55 to 74 who were at high risk for lung cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to undergo three annual screenings with either computed tomography or chest radiography.
Overall, the lung cancer mortality rate was lower among those who received CT screening than in the chest radiography group (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/11/hlbf0711.htm.












