New research suggests that CT scans that detect early signs of lung cancer belong on a short list of screening technologies considered effective for cancer. The research says this is true for at least those people at high risk.
Researchers concluded that the spiral CT, which emits 3-D images of the lungs, could help to reduce the number of deaths from lung cancer by up to 35%. The CT scans match the record for colonoscopies in preventing deaths due to colon cancer. The scans are more cost effective than Pap smears, which help detect cervical cancer and mammograms that help detect breast cancer.
The authors of the study were actuaries and an expert in lung cancer. They say health insurance companies should cover screenings for lung cancer that are done on CT scans, for those who are in the category of high risk. WellPoint is the only huge health insurer that covers CT scans.
Insurers would pay less than one dollar additional for each annual premium they have said the study’s authors. Lung cancer screening costs are about $250 and that includes an initial CT scan plus follow-up biopsies and scans for those who are found to have a suspicious scan.
If the 18 million plus Americans in the high risk bracket for lung cancer were all to be screened, the study says close to 130,000 would be saved from death due to lung cancer. Those considered at high risk are former or current smokers above the age of 50, who smoke or smoked at least a pack per day for 30 or more years. That is equivalent to nearly 33% of all Americans aged 50 to 64.
