Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, among others, started the CT lung cancer programmes based on the latest groundbreaking research that has shown its effectiveness in early diagnosis of the disease.
"This can save lives," said William Michael Alberts, MD, chief physician and pulmonologist at Moffitt.
The test is targeting high risk people 55-74, who smoked at least one cigarette per day for 30 years, or those who, on average, two packs a day for 15 years.
The theory is that CT (computer tomography), and that it has the capacity to identify, give patients diagnosed before obvious symptoms appear and provide these patients a better chance of survival.
Based on the study, published in the New England Journal of medicine, smokers who received CT scans over a three-year period had the death rate from lung cancer, that 20 per cent lower than they were gone the traditional chest x-rays in the same period.
"It was a series of studies in the past, but never one before it shows the advantage of mortality," Alberts told Asbestos.com during an interview Thursday. "It's important."
Lung cancer is responsible for nearly one-third of all cancer deaths, and only 15 percent of those diagnosed with lung cancer live over five years. CT can change these figures.
Although smoking is cause no. 1 of lung cancer, it can also be caused by exposure to asbestos. Smoking, in combination with exposure to asbestos fibers, greatly increases the chance of developing lung cancer. Smoking, however, does not increase the risk of cancer, most often associated with exposure to asbestos mesothelioma.
Big problem researchers face mesothelioma is much more rare form of cancer is that the diagnosis is usually not coming until the disease has developed, limiting the chances of survival.
Alberts would not say if he believed that the same low-dose CT scanning can help with mesothelioma or asbestos exposure significantly, how it might help smokers.
Alberts explained that "this is not examined properly yet.
Federally-funded National Lung screening trial (NLST PARAMETERS), which spanned 33 study sites around the country, included more than 53 000 patients.
About a quarter of the participants, KT received a positive result, indicating a possible cancer. More than 90 per cent, however, were false positives, which showed a big flaw in the process. Also random trial did not take a look at the risks to human health are annual inspections and the consequences of the accumulated exposure to radiation.
Most insurance companies still do not cover the cost of CT, according to Alberts, although he hoped that would soon change, based on the examination. The cost of scanning Moffitt is $ 350.
If you want more detailed information about the CT on Moffitt and how it can be able to help those at risk of lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure, mesothelioma Centre at Asbestos.com or fill out this form to request additional information.
This entry was posted on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 4: 32 pm and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.
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