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Lung cancer • 2: Screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer

J L Mulshine¹ and R A Smith²

¹ Head, Intervention Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1906, USA
² Director of Cancer Screening, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA

Correspondence to:
Dr J L Mulshine, Intervention Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1906, USA;
mulshinej{at}bprb.nci.nih.gov

Technical developments in spiral CT scanning mean that considerably smaller lung cancers can now be identified than with previous methods of detection. Only time will tell whether this enhanced capability will result in a reduction in the number of deaths from lung cancer. The implications and problems of screening for lung cancer are discussed. Screening implies a careful refinement of a range of clinical activities that must be routinely delivered in a carefully coordinated fashion to allow for the possibility of improved outcome. Critical analyses of the nuances of this process are essential if the field is to move forward.

Keywords: lung cancer; screening; early diagnosis; spiral CT scanning

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