Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Article on cnn.com -- Study says lung scans may find cancer earlier in smokers, save lives. The study could have potentially interesting implications for medical monitoring claims for smokers. Here's an excerpt:
A controversial new study offers the strongest evidence yet that screening smokers
for lung cancer with computerized chest scans can save lives, much as mammograms
do for women with breast cancer.
Doctors have long had doubts that early detection of tumors could improve survival,
and also feared that screening would lead to too many false alarms and unnecessary
biopsies. Scans are not now recommended, but many smokers have been paying for
them on their own for their peace of mind.
The new study strongly suggests there is a survival benefit. But it does not prove the
point, because it lacked a comparison group, many scientists say.