Screening for lung cancer: updated recommendations from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Palda V A, Van Spall H G C, with the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Record ID 32004000723
English
Authors' objectives:
This review updates the 1994 recommendations of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care for lung cancer screening.
Authors' results and conclusions:
Benefits, harms and costs: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths among both men and women. It is largely, but not solely, attributable to smoking. Approximately 70% of lung cancer cases have mediastinal or distant metastases at presentation. Potential benefits of screening include increased rates of detection and decreased mortality from cancer. Potential harms of screening include false-positive and false-negative test results.
Values: The strength of evidence was evaluated using the evidence-based methods of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.
Authors' recommendations:
Recommendations:
- The CTFPHC concludes that there is fair evidence to recommend against screening asymptomatic people for lung cancer using chest radiographic examination. (D recommendation).
- The CTFPHC concludes that there is insufficient evidence (in quantity and/or quality) to make a recommendation as to whether spiral CT scanning should be used for screening asymptomatic people for lung cancer. However, other factors may influence decision-making. (I recommendation).
Because few cancers have such an identifiable and preventable risk factor, it is advised that patients should stop smoking.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.ctfphc.org/Full_Text/CTF_Lung_Ca_Screen_Aug03.pdf
Year Published:
2003
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Lung Neoplasms
- Mass Chest X-Ray
- Mass Screening
- Tomography, Spiral Computed
Contact
Organisation Name:
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Contact Address:
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 117, London, ON, N6G 4X8, Canada. Tel: 519-858-5181; Fax: 519-858-5112
Contact Name:
ctf@ctfphc.org
Contact Email:
ctf@ctfphc.org
Copyright:
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.