Seven years of smoking abstinence reduced lung cancer-specific mortality at a magnitude comparable with LDCT screening. This reduction was greater when abstinence was combined with screening, highlighting the importance of smoking cessation efforts in screening programs.
While patients and providers are receptive to LDCT screening, efforts are needed to improve guideline knowledge and adherence among providers. System-level interventions are necessary to facilitate time and resources for shared decision making and smoking cessation counseling and treatment. Further research is needed to identify optimal strategies for effective lung cancer screening in the community.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Since publication of results from the National Lung Screening Trial, several professional organizations, including the US Preventive Services Task Force, have published guidelines recommending low-dose computed tomography for screening in asymptomatic, high-risk individuals. The benefits of screening include detection of cancer at an early stage when a definitive cure is possible, but the risks include overdiagnosis, false-positive results, psychological distress, and radiation exposure. The current review covers the scope of low-dose computed tomography screening, potential risks, costs, and future directions in the efforts for early detection of lung cancer. Cancer 2015;121:1347-56. V C 2015 American Cancer Society.KEYWORDS: cancer screening, lung neoplasms, risk assessment, early detection. INTRODUCTIONLung cancer (LC) is the second most common cancer among both men and women in the United States and accounts for more deaths than any other cancer. 1 The 5-year survival rate for LC remains low at 16.8% and is <5% for patients with metastatic disesae. 2 The utility of sputum cytology and chest radiographs alone and in combination has been extensively studied and has not exhibited any benefit as a screening tool. 3,4 Several single-arm trials have suggested that screening with computed tomography (CT) may be of benefit 5 ; however, it was not until the publication of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in 2010 that strong evidence was available in support of LC screening. 6 The results of the NLST lead to several professional societies supporting LC screening for individuals at high risk. 6,7 The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines gave a Grade B recommendation for LC screening using annual low-dose CT (LDCT) in high-risk individuals. 8 Since publication of the NLST, additional studies have been completed that further refine an individual's risk, thereby identifying the best candidates for screening. 9,10 This review focuses on current recommendations for LC screening, including risks, benefits, costs, and future directions in the efforts for early detection.
Background:Silicosis is an ancient occupational illness reported in silica mill workers, agate stone workers, slate pen workers and mining industry. However its association in flour mill workers has not been established.Aims:To study the incidence of silicosis and respiratory morbidity in flour mill workers.Settings and Design:A prospective study of 56 flour mill workers working with open silica grinding stones was undertaken.Materials and Methods:56 flour mill workers who volunteered following information regarding the study purpose were recruited from the community. Detailed clinical and occupational history, lung functions, chest x-ray, and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were done. Diagnosis was made on the basis of radiological findings.Statistical Analysis:Data analysis was done with the help of the statistical package for social sciences software. The Chi-square test was used for determining the relationship between qualitative data and descriptive statistics was used where required.Results:93% had respiratory symptoms that included cough (66.1%), dyspnea (75%), chest pain (17.1%), and rhinorrhea (46.4%). Radiological abnormalities were noted in chest X-ray (60.7%) and HRCT (81.48%). A significant correlation was seen between duration of exposure and HRCT abnormalities. Lung functions revealed obstruction in 28.5% subjects, restriction in 19%, mixed ventilatory defects in 21.4%, while 18.9% had a reduced diffusion capacity.Conclusion:Incidence of silicosis in our study on flour mill workers working with silica containing grinding stones was 30.4%. They had high respiratory morbidity (93%) cough and dyspnea being predominant symptoms. Duration of exposure correlates with radiological findings and increased incidence of silicosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.