| Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It has been shown that when treated in its early stages, lung cancer survival rates improve greatly. One way to accomplish this and detect the disease early is with a lung cancer screening program. There exists a need for the tools and technology to accomplish accurate screening. In spite of this need, controversy still remains regarding screening for lung cancer. Major concerns include the lack of validated screening tools, questionable study design and analysis, medical acceptance, and ethical and social concerns. Initiating a screening program is by no means an easy task. Lung cancer screening is a major challenge because of the vary nature of the disease. Detection and diagnosis are extremely difficult. Past research trials have been unsuccessful and have received much criticism. Medical technology has developed better imaging technology that combined with carefully designed research trials may assist medical professionals in screening for lung cancer and halting the progress of the disease. |
