New research shows baseline CT screen helps detect early stage lung cancer in people at high risk because of asbestos exposure

A new study by Italian researchers published in the November issue of The Oncologist suggests that CT screening may help in early detection of lung cancer among people with a history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs or abdomen. In a group of more than a 1,000 people exposed to asbestos, CT screening found non-calcified nodules in 44 percent of the participants. Chest X-ray detected such nodules in only 4 percent of the study participants. Researchers also found nine cases of early stage lung cancer through the use of CT screening. None of these cases were detected by chest X-ray. The tumors were surgically removed, which potentially cured these individuals before their tumors were even visible on chest X-ray. CT screening also gave 11 false positive results. The researchers concluded that baseline CT screening was beneficial for people with a history of asbestos exposure who are consequently at high risk for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. They also concluded that additional research should be done to determine whether CT screening may assist in early detection of mesothelioma as well.