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Will lung cancer screening be introduced one day in France? And if so, is it achievable in real conditions? To answer these questions, Doctissimo interviewed Dr Olivier Leleu, pneumo-oncologist and author of a new study published on the subject.
Lung cancer is an aggressive cancer, usually discovered at an advanced stage. “In three quarters of cases, the cancer is discovered at a locally advanced or metastatic stage. confirms Dr Olivier Leleu, head of the pneumo-oncology department at the Abbeville hospital center, in the Somme. To improve these figures, screening for this cancer would be a solution. But it does not currently exist in France. Will things change soon?
What is lung cancer screening?
Lung cancer screening consists of performing a low-dose CT scan for patients meeting certain criteria. “For this study, we chose the classic criteria: patients aged 55 to 74, smokers or who stopped smoking less than 15 years ago, with a smoking rate of 30 packs/year, which means that they have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years” explains the doctor. In total, 1,254 volunteers were recruited. Between March 2016 and February 2020, they underwent an average of three scans, or one per year.
Yes, screening is possible and the gains are real!
To certify that this benefit can be quickly transposed, the study endeavored to remain within the framework of current care practices. “The objective of this study was to demonstrate the real-life feasibility of screening. We worked with general practitioners and radiologists, for prescriptions and carrying out scans. The interest is to improve diagnosis and management. in charge of patients, without forgetting the improvement of their 5-year survival, by offering them treatment with curative intent, which is surgery“.
And the benefit for smokers is obvious. “In total, 42 lung cancers were detected: 30 cancers (71.4%) were stage I or II and 34 cancers (80.9%) were treated surgically.” welcomes Olivier Leleu.
Why is lung cancer screening slow to be introduced in France?
According to Dr. Leleu, lung cancer screening exists in the United States, but also in certain European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Poland or Croatia. Why is it still not established in France? “This is a situation that I deplore, we are still very late in France on the issue.” replies the specialist.
But the situation could change. “Nevertheless, a call for projects has been launched by the National Cancer Institute (InCA). On November 10, applications will be selected to deploy a pilot screening project in different regions. Things are progressing, little by little , even if they don’t go as fast as we would like.” he concludes.
Slide: Why does lung cancer also affect non-smokers?