Wanted: 50,000 Former and Current Smokers for Major Lung Screening TrialAmerican Cancer Society American Cancer Society Assisting In Groundbreaking Effort Now the American Cancer Society is supporting the National Cancer Institute in investigating an innovation that could represent the most promising development in lung cancer research in over 30 years. The Society is reaching out to smokers and former smokers to help recruit for a clinical trial to determine if screening people with either spiral computerized tomography (CT) or chest X-ray before they have symptoms can reduce deaths from lung cancer. The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) is being funded by the National Cancer Institute.  When lung cancer is caught and treated early, before it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, the five-year survival rate is 48 percent. However, only 15 percent of cases are caught at that early, localized stage. Spiral CT scans use X-rays along with computer technology to give radiologists the ability to detect smaller tumors than can be found with chest X-rays. And while it may seem logical to assume that smaller tumors would be easier to treat, there's no scientific evidence to show that smaller lesions have less chance of spreading, or that early detection can actually save lives. The only way to find answers to these questions is with a clinical trial. The NLST will compare spiral CT to standard chest X-ray, examining benefits and risks. Both methods have been used to find lung cancer early, but neither has been shown to reduce a person's chance of dying from lung cancer. The trial will enroll 50,000 current or former smokers and take place at 30 study sites throughout the United States. The American Cancer Society will help organize grassroots recruitment efforts in communities surrounding the NLST sites to find participants for the trial. When people enter the study, they will be randomized––assigned by chance––to receive either a spiral CT scan or a chest X-ray. They will have the same screening procedure again one and two years later. Researchers will contact participants, by phone or mail, at least yearly to monitor their health, until the trial ends, which is expected to be 2009. "Lung cancer kills more people than cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, and pancreas combined and will claim nearly 155,000 lives this year, " said Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., director, NCI. " I am pleased that the American Cancer Society is partnering with NCI to bring this scientific study to the people who could benefit the most. Our hope is to save those lives that are now tragically being lost." "Lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer of American men and women," said Harmon Eyre, M.D., chief medical officer and executive vice president for research and cancer control of the American Cancer Society. "Reducing deaths from the disease remains a high priority for us. We hope to educate individuals about the trial and build trust among potential participants so that we can help NCI reach full enrollment as soon as possible." Participants in NLST will receive lung cancer screenings free of charge. Men and women can participate in NLST if they meet the following requirements:
Additionally, participants can receive referrals to smoking cessation programs if they are interested in quitting smoking. For more information about NLST and to find the trial location nearest you, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at (800)-4-CANCER or the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345. Study locations are also listed at www.cancer.gov/NLST and www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org |
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