CCO is planning a pilot project for lung cancer screening based on promising studies and screening in other countries. One quarter of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer, with 70 per cent due to cigarette smoking.
Screening would target high-risk populations — namely, people 55 to 74 years, who smoked one or more packs a day for 30 years and are still smoking or have quit within the last 15 years.
There will also be an emphasis on smoking cessation. It’s important for follow-up that lung cancer screening takes place in an organized program. For more info on screening high risk populations for lung cancer click here.