Detecting possible lung cancer by a chest x-ray would be an ineffective procedure to lower the mortality associated with this type of cancer. The study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association and taken over by Le Parisien / Today in France. This survey confirms the doubts expressed by the scientific community on the value of screening for lung cancer. This disease is mainly due to smoking. In recent decades, the development of smoking in women has resulted in a worrying increase in female mortality from lung cancer. >> To read also: Tobacco: advice and solutions to quit smoking.
The more efficient scanners?
American researchers followed 155,000 people aged 55 to 74 for 13 years, half of whom were selected to undergo an annual x-ray of their lungs for four years. These two panels had as many women as men and a similar proportion of smokers as former smokers and never smokers.
The verdict is final: thirteen years later, 1,696 lung cancers were diagnosed in the group subjected to annual radios, against 1,620 in the control group.
The number of deaths from lung cancer observed in each of the two groups is also very close: 1,213 in the first group against 1,230 in the control group.
For the authors of the study, there is no doubt that chest x-rays do not offer a convincing screening for lung cancer. They instead encourage the use of scanners, according to them more efficient at early detection of the first tumors.
It should be remembered that in France, systematic screening for lung cancer, whether by radiography or by scanner, is not indicated because its effectiveness in reducing mortality has not been demonstrated. >> To read also: Lung cancer news
>> Everything you need to know about lung cancer in our dossier.
