Some members had previously asked about a breath test to detect lung cancer, and at the time I was not familiar with this work. But research has been ongoing with a new test designed by Menssana Research to detect lung cancer (LC) by noting a pattern of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), essentially chemicals in […]
3 CommentsFor those of you who are interested in the screening controversy over detecting early stage lung cancer, there’s an editorial in yestreday’s New York Times. I found it to be a balanced discussion, covering the highlights of both the promise and potential problems of screening. The link is here.
5 CommentsThanks to member Carlos for bringing to our attention a high profile article in the New York Times today about some controversy now surrounding the Early Lung Cancer Action Project (ELCAP) trial, probably the most influential study of CT screening that has been done. Let me disclose immediately that my own […]
0 CommentsAn interesting article just came out in the Journal of Clinical Oncology from researchers at Duke, led by Dr. Ed Patz of the Radiology Department there (abstract here). Recognizing the problems with detection of lung cancer (LC) based on symptoms (which detects LC far too late) or screening CTs (which detects early LC but also many […]
0 CommentsAs is fitting for Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we should become more aware of the concept of the solitary pulmonary nodule, or SPN, which is how lung cancer appears in the small proportion of (relatively) luckier people who have their lung cancer detected incidentally or in screening. Technically, it’s defined as a spherically-shaped lesion that measures up […]
8 CommentsWell, as I suspected, the topic of lung cancer cancer screening has been a bit of a minefield, but I’m going to end now by trying to pull together where we are here and now, at least in the US. The article about the very impressive results of the I-ELCAP trial that was published in […]
7 CommentsThe topic of lung cancer screening is a very charged one, with most people, patients and physicians alike, having a strong opinion, either for or against. This is also an area in which there can be suspicion that any argument against screening is due to a financial calculation in which saving people from lung […]
17 CommentsThe issue of CT screening for lung cancer is a big one, and to handle it properly I’m going to write about it in a few installments. It’s also quite controversial, so today I’ll start with the reasons in favor of CT screening. Just by means of background, I’ll start by saying that chest […]
4 Comments