March 19, 2012 (Hollywood, Florida) — The new guideline on lung cancer screening was presented to an audience for the first time here at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 17th Annual Conference.

Screening is an attempt to diagnose lung cancer in the early stages when the disease is curable. During this stage the patient has no symptoms. He/she feels absolutely well. Often when the patient develops symptoms such as a chronic cough it is already too late to be cured. Everyone over the age of 50 who has smoked for more than 20 years or over 55 who has smoked for more than 10 years, is advised to be screened for early lung cancer. For the full article click here

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in both men and women, killing more people than cancers of the breast, colon, cervix and prostate combined. In 1991 a group of doctors from Cornell University met with a goal of early lung cancer detection. In 1992 ELCAP (Early Lung Cancer Action Program) was formed.

Among their findings:
·       Curability of Stage I lung cancers is 80-90%
·       Annual CT screening allows at least 80% of lung cancers to be diagnosed at Stage I
·       CT screening creates a counseling opportunity that results in greater smoking cessation
·       Costs of CT screening for lung cancer compare favorably with breast, cervical, and colon cancer screenings