Historical Perspective on Lung Cancer Screening

Thorac Surg Clin. 2023 Nov;33(4):309-321. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2023.04.001. Epub 2023 May 25.

Abstract

Lung cancer represents a large burden on society with a staggering incidence and mortality rate that has steadily increased until recently. The impetus to design an effective screening program for the deadliest cancer in the United States and worldwide began in 1950. It has taken more than 50 years of numerous clinical trials and continued persistence to arrive at the development of modern-day screening program. As the program continues to grow, it is important for clinicians to understand its evolution, track outcomes, and continually assess the impact and bias of screening on the medical, social, and economic systems.

Keywords: LDCT; Low-dose CT; Lung cancer screening; Screening history.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Mass Screening
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • United States / epidemiology