The Press of Atlantic City reported some promising news for lung cancer patients. A study shows that a CT scan is more effective than X-ray screening for detection of cancer. Screening heavy smokers with a special type of CT scan modestly reduces lung cancer deaths, the National Cancer Institute announced, the first clear evidence that a screening test may help fight the nations top cancer killer.
At issue are controversial spiral CT scans, where a rotating scanner views lungs at various angles to spot growths when they're about half the size that a standard chest X-ray can detect. X-ray screening hasn't proved powerful enough to reduce lung cancer deaths. Previous studies suggested that CT scans might go that next step, even as other research questioned whether they'd do more harm than good by spotting too many benign growths.
The National Lung Screening Trial enrolled 53,000 current or former heavy smokers with no initial symptoms of cancer to try and settle the debate. It found 20 percent fewer deaths from lung cancer among those screened with CT's than among those given X-rays. The difference was so significant the study was ended early.
I found this to be very interesting. It's amazing what modern technology can do to help people. For those getting tested for lung cancer they should feel relieved that a CT scan is available to help increase their chance of survival.
I like this article a lot. Its always really great to know that things we already have are becoming even more useful then we originally planned for them to be.
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