Lung cancer: soon organized screening for people exposed to tobacco?

The AP-HP is launching a pilot study to test the effectiveness of a screening method for lung cancer which could result in organized screening on a national scale, if it shows good results. In France, this type of nationwide screening program exists for colon cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer.

5 lives saved for every 1000 people screened

Today, bronchopulmonary cancer being the one that causes the most deaths each year in France (more than 33,000), it has become obvious and urgent that screening be improved for lung cancer. “Often diagnosed at a late stage, it is also one of the worst prognosis cancers with a 5-year survival rate of 20%.“, explains the HAS in a press release dated February 1, 2022. In this same document, the health authority requested the launch of the experiment in question today. It is therefore a question of evaluating the double reading by screening by low-dose computed tomography thoracic scanner in people with high tobacco exposure Several studies have already shown that a single radiologist trained in this type of screening, then confronted with a double reading by experts, would be effective on the reduction in lung cancer mortality in those at risk.

The benefit being estimated at 5 lives saved for 1000 cases detected.

So the test will take place. In a press release dated February 15, 2022, the AH-HP announces the start of the CASCADE study (screening for lung cancer not low dose cancer). “This pilot study will make it possible to answer methodological and organizational questions, a necessary prerequisite before setting up organized screening, which could benefit more widely the population at risk, whether female or male.”

Volunteers are wanted

In the long term, this type of scanner could also make it possible to detect other diseases such as emphysema or osteoporosis. This study, “in real life” will take place in four cities in France: Paris, Rennes, Grenoble and Béthune, “where several modes of invitation to screening will be tested, including an invitation joined to that of screening by mammography for breast cancer.” For this, the organizers must recruit 2400 women aged between 50 and 74 years. The experiment will be done over 2 years of follow-up.

An information campaign will therefore be deployed on March 8, 2022, the date from which interested women can participate by contacting a national number provided for this purpose (06.15.06.58.35) or send an email to the following address: cascade [email protected].)