Disease-a-month : DM
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Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignancy in both men and women, both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Today, lung cancer is most often diagnosed on the basis of symptoms of advanced disease or when chest x-rays are taken for a variety of purposes unrelated to lung cancer detection. Unfortunately, in the United States no society or governmental agency recommends screening, even for patients with high risks, such as smokers with airflow obstruction or people with occupational exposures, including asbestos. ⋯ A new health care initiative, the National Lung Health Education Program, recommends spirometric testing for all smokers 45 years or older, as well as for patients with symptoms of lung cancer. Screening for lung cancer in such patients will find many cancers at an early stage when they are amenable to cure. Today, we have the knowledge and the technology that could change the outcome of lung cancer.