• Linda L Humphrey, Steven Teutsch, Mark Johnson, and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
• Oregon Health & Science University Evidence-based Practice Center, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, USA.
• Ann. Intern. Med. 2004 May 4;140(9):740-53.

BackgroundLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and worldwide. No major professional organizations, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), currently recommend screening for lung cancer.PurposeTo examine the evidence evaluating screening for lung cancer with chest radiography, sputum cytologic examination, and low-dose computed tomography (CT) to aid the USPSTF in updating its recommendation on lung cancer screening.Data SourcesMEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, reviews, editorials, and experts.Study SelectionStudies that evaluated mass screening programs for lung cancer involving the tests of interest were selected. All studies were reviewed, but only studies with control groups were rated in quality since these would most directly influence the USPSTF screening recommendation.Data ExtractionData were abstracted to data collection forms. Studies were graded according to criteria developed by the USPSTF.Data SynthesisNone of the 6 randomized trials of screening for lung cancer with chest radiography alone or in combination with sputum cytologic examination showed benefit among those screened. All studies were limited because some level of screening occurred in the control population. Five case-control studies from Japan suggested benefit to both high- and low-risk men and women. All studies were limited by potential healthy screenee bias. Six cohort studies showed that when CT was used to screen for lung cancer, lung cancer was diagnosed at an earlier stage than in usual clinical care. However, these studies did not have control groups, making mortality evaluation difficult. In addition, the studies demonstrated a high rate of false-positive findings.ConclusionsCurrent data do not support screening for lung cancer with any method. These data, however, are also insufficient to conclude that screening does not work, particularly in women. Two randomized trials of screening with chest radiography or low-dose CT are currently under way and will better inform lung cancer screening decisions.

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