Latest lung cancer screening news, research for primary care physicians

In the United States, lung cancer is the deadliest cancer, as well as the second most diagnosed cancer in both men and women, contributing to 27% of all cancer deaths and 14% of all cancer diagnoses in 2011, according to the CDC.

“Lung cancer screening can help find lung cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat,” according to the American Lung Association. “At this time, studies have shown that low-dose CT scan is the only lung cancer screening tool that reduces the risk of dying from lung cancer.”

Marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, Healio Internal Medicine presents the latest news and research on lung cancer screening for physicians.

VIDEO: Expert discusses controversies in lung cancer screenings

WASHINGTON — David E. Midthun, MD, FACP, professor of medicine and director of the lung cancer screening program at Mayo Clinic, shared some controversies in lung cancer screening guidelines, noting discordance among the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, CMS and National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines at the annual American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting. Read More.

PCP intervention can improve smoking cessation following lung cancer screening

Individuals who undergo lung cancer screening are more likely to quit smoking if their cessation intervention originated from their primary care provider, according to study results. Read More.

Despite fewer smokers, poor screening criteria may raise lung cancer mortality

The decline in smoking rates will translate to fewer people qualifying for lung cancer screening with low-dose CT, thereby potentially leading to higher rates of lung cancer mortality, according to researchers at Mayo Clinic. Read More.

Lung-RADS may reduce false-positives in lung cancer screening

The use of Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System criteria during interpretation of low-dose CT scan results may yield lower false-positive results than observed in the National Lung Screening Trial, according to results of a retrospective study. Read More.