Lung cancer screening: the opportunity to increase survival
In recent decades, patients with many forms of cancer have seen dramatic improvements in survival as a result of widespread, effective screening programmes allowing for early detection in at-risk populations. Lung cancer is the latest malignancy to benefit from a growing body of evidence to support a screening method. Research shows that low-dose computerised tomography can detect lung cancers at a stage when they are more treatable, thus creating an opportunity to reduce mortality. Many questions remain about the need for patients to undergo additional procedures, with the increased stress and decreased quality of life from positive results, and screening presents a potential economic burden. Nevertheless, oncology nurses should be knowledgeable and advocate for further work to improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.
