Lung CT: Deaths Down, Many False Alarms

Lung cancer screening with CT scans can save lives, but with a vast number of false alarms, detailed results of a major study show. The new data were published June 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Initial study results were announced in November. The study was stopped early then because CT scans reduced death rates from lung cancer 20% compared with X-rays. The study included 53,000 current or former heavy smokers. They were 55 to 74 years old and had no signs or history of lung cancer. Researchers randomly divided them into 2 groups. One group received 3 annual low-dose CT scans. The other group received 3 annual X-rays. About 40% had at least 1 suspicious finding on a test. But more than 95% of those did not have cancer. Researchers kept track of people for another 5 years.