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In November 2010, the NIH announced results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST): Low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening of smokers lowered lung cancer–related mortality. These results have now been published.
About 53,000 current and former smokers (age range, 55–74; smoking history, at least 30 pack-years) were randomized to annual lung cancer screening for 3 years by either low-dose CT or conventional chest x-ray (CXR). Noncalcified nodules measuring ≥4 mm were considered to be positive, as were abnormalities such as effusions and adenopathy. Findings were communicated to participants and their physicians; a specific protocol for further evaluation was not mandated.
During median follow-up of 6.5 years, lung cancer–specific m…