Episode 179: Smoking out the evidence around screening for lung cancer

In episode 179, we again ask Tina Korownyk to join us to help with the topic of screening for lung cancer. We review the most recent study that looked at the risks and benefits of screening high-risk individuals (smoking history of at least 30 pack-years) with low dose CT. At the end we come up with the shocking conclusion that we need to discuss the benefits and risks with patients and that smoking cessation should be a priority.

Show notes

1) RCTs of low dose CT for lung cancer screening

NEJM 2011;365:395-409

ACP Journal Club. 2011;155:JC5-6

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009;180:445-453

2) Other useful info

Thorax 2012;67:296-301

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004:CD001991

Radiology 2005;235:259-65

Annals of Internal Medicine 2011;155:137-44

JAMA 2012;307:2418-2429

International Journal of Cancer 2007;120:868-74

http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-screening-guidelines/lung-cancer-screening.pdf

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012;144:33-8

JAMA 2005;294:1505-1510