Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States and is diagnosed in more than 2lac people annually. According to a Mount Sinai study published in JAMA Network Open, a substantial decline in lung cancer deaths is associated with early diagnosis of lung cancer and thus, supporting the need for increased use of screenings. A team led by Dr. Raja Flores of Mount Sinai Health System in New York City analyzed data from 312382 patients with non-small cell lung cancer from the year 2006 to 2016. The early diagnoses rose from 26.5% to 31.2% while the late-stage diagnoses decreased from 70.8 to 66.1. They found that the median length of survival for patients with early-stage lung cancer was 57 months as compared to median for late-stage cancer was seven months.
The lead author, Raja M. Flores, said, “This is the first time a large population-based study has demonstrated decreased lung cancer mortality with early detection—finding cancer in earlier stages—when tumors are smaller and more curable.” During the study period, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that the individuals to be screened annually for lung cancer via CT scans. The study findings suggest that the awareness of CT lung cancer screening is associated with early detection of non-small cell lung cancer. They reinforce the importance of screening in the early detection and effective treatment of cancer.
The early diagnoses of lung cancer help in decreasing lung cancer deaths; by an average of about 4% annually during the study period. This study emphasizes on the need to ensure that the people eligible for lung cancer screening should receive it.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only. You should contact your healthcare professional for any medical advice.
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