Landmark Study Unequivocal that CT Screening Reduces Lung Cancer Deaths

Researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that screening smokers and former smokers with spiral CT scans reduced  lung cancer deaths by 20%, reaffirming earlier findings in the NLST screening trial. David M. Jablons, M.D., Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Program Leader of the Thoracic Oncology Program noted the study's significance:

"This is a landmark study and a landmark day for millions of people at risk for lung cancer. This study vindicates numerous pioneering investigators worldwide who have advocated for the utility and benefit of low-dose spiral CT scans for the early detection of lung cancer. The results announced today lay settle the question of using the low-dose spiral CT scan for the at-risk population. CT scans can save lives. It is our hope that third-party payers and insurers will embrace these results which will lead to more screening, a new standard of care and most importantly, saving lives."