What is the recommended screening tool for lung cancer?

The recommended screening tool for lung cancer is the low-dose CT scan. This method is favored because it has been shown to significantly reduce mortality rates in high-risk populations, particularly among individuals aged 55 to 80 with a significant history of smoking (at least a 30 pack-year smoking history) and who are either current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years.

Low-dose CT scanning is more sensitive than chest X-rays in detecting early-stage lung cancers, allowing for earlier intervention when the chances of successful treatment are higher. Studies, including the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), have demonstrated that low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer at an earlier stage compared to traditional imaging methods, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

While mammograms are crucial for breast cancer screening and chest X-rays and standard CT scans can be useful in certain settings, they do not provide the same level of efficacy for lung cancer screening as low-dose CT scans. Standard CT scans are also generally higher in radiation exposure, making them less ideal for routine screening purposes. Therefore, the low-dose CT scan is the recommended and evidence-backed choice for lung cancer screening in the appropriate patient populations.