Low-Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer Can Benefit Heavy Smokers

Lung cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, with only about one-fifth to one-sixth of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. A new report now suggests that low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening offers more benefits than risks for heavy smokers, both current and former. This screening method can reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer and may also extend overall survival.

The report, published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG, Cologne, Germany), supports its earlier findings from a 2020 benefit assessment. IQWiG updated its assessment after reviewing various lung cancer screening strategies with low-dose CT, considering different screening intervals, equipment types, and imaging analysis techniques. In this latest report, IQWiG analyzed the results of an additional study, bringing the total to nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with more than 94,000 participants.

The findings were clear: low-dose CT screening can prevent five out of 1,000 heavy smokers from dying of lung cancer within approximately ten years. Heavy smokers are defined as individuals who have smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years. IQWiG's updated conclusion emphasizes that the benefits of low-dose CT screening, including reducing lung cancer mortality, outweigh potential harms like misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis.

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