Should we screen for lung cancer in Australia?

Mitchell, Paul L R; John, Thomas

doi:10.5694/mja13.11144

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To the Editor: The United States National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated a 20% reduction in lung cancer deaths among smokers screened with three low-radiation-dose computed tomography scans at yearly intervals. Hew and colleagues recently outlined the challenges in implementing such a screening program in Australia.1 However, the potential for saving lives is enormous.

1 Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC.
2 North-Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC.
3 Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC.

Correspondence: paul.mitchell@austin.org.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

1. Hew M, Stirling RG, Abramson MJ. Should we screen for lung cancer in Australia? Med J Aust 2013; 199: 82-83. <MJA full text>
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: period estimates from 1982 to 2010. Canberra: AIHW, 2012. (AIHW Cat. No. CAN65; Cancer Series No. 69.) http://www. aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737422721 (accessed Oct 2013).
3. Mitchell PLR, Thursfield VJ, Ball DJ. Lung cancer in Victoria: are we making progress? Med J Aust 2013; 28 Oct [Epub ahead of print].
4. Kovalchik SA, Tammemagi M, Berg CD, et al. Targeting of low-dose CT screening according to the risk of lung-cancer death. N Engl J Med 2013; 369: 245-254.

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