Yearly low-dose CT for people with a heavy smoking history
Fewer lung cancer deaths in two large randomized trials.
What studies found
In the NLST trial, low-dose CT cut lung cancer deaths by 20% compared with chest X-ray (16% with longer follow-up). In the NELSON trial there were 181 lung cancer deaths with screening versus 242 without at 10 years. The U.S. Task Force (2021) recommends yearly screening from 50 to 80 for people with a 20 pack-year history who smoke now or quit within the past 15 years. The American Cancer Society (2023) drops the 15-year limit.
The catch
About 1 in 4 people had a false alarm at the first NLST scan, and about 6% of screen-found cancers may never have caused harm (overdiagnosis).
What to do
If you smoked heavily, ask your doctor whether you qualify.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the lung cancer page.
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