Lung Cancer Screening with CT Scans Offers Hope for Reducing Italy‘s High Death Rate
italy is looking to bolster its cancer screening programs, with a particular focus on lung cancer, a disease currently claiming over 36,000 lives annually. While robust screening programs exist for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers, lung cancer screening remains largely experimental, despite promising evidence suggesting it could significantly reduce mortality.Recent epidemiological data projects a 1.3% increase in lung cancer incidence in both sexes in the coming years, further emphasizing the urgency of implementing widespread screening.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Italy, with over 44,000 new cases diagnosed each year. A key factor contributing to the high mortality rate is late diagnosis. The disease often progresses without noticeable symptoms, meaning therapeutic options are frequently limited and the five-year survival rate can be as low as 10%. approximately 85-90% of lung cancers are directly linked to cigarette smoking,with risk increasing based on the quantity and duration of smoking.Currently, onyl one in four patients are diagnosed at a stage where surgery is a viable option.
However, early detection through low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans offers a potential turning point. The pilot project for early lung cancer diagnosis at san Camillo Forlanini Hospital in Rome demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. As of November 1st, after nearly a year of operation, the program has identified 13 lung tumors from 700 low-dose CT scans performed. Additionally, the scans revealed one pleural mesothelioma, one thymic gland tumor, two kidney tumors, and one breast tumor, bringing the total number of detected tumors to 18. Furthermore, 20 indeterminate nodules - small anomalies requiring further investigation – were also identified, and are being evaluated by a multidisciplinary team comprised of radiologists, pulmonologists, pathologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists.
The san Camillo project specifically targets high-risk individuals: heavy smokers over the age of 55.Applicants are screened via a questionnaire available on the hospital’s website.Of the 2,100 individuals who completed the questionnaire, 1,220 were deemed eligible and enrolled in the program.Inclusion criteria require participants to have a smoking history of at least 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years, or 10 cigarettes a day for 40 years. Importantly, selected participants are also offered personalized support to help them quit smoking.
These early results from the San Camillo project, alongside initiatives like the italian Lung Screening Network (RISP) promoted by the National Cancer Institute of Milan, underscore the potential of structured lung cancer screening to save lives and reduce the devastating impact of this often-silent killer in Italy.
