New Blood Test for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the U.S. and most of the world resulting in more deaths than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer combined¹.  Unlike with those three diseases, there has not been a widely utilized test that could aid in early detection for lung cancer.  That is unfortunate since lung cancer can usually be cured if it is caught early enough to be surgically removed before it spreads.  Tragically, however, lung cancer is usually detected at a late stage after symptoms appear when the chances of survival are bleak.

A recent government study offered compelling evidence that early detection of lung cancer indeed saves many lives.   That study, however, utilized CT (CAT) scans as the sole detection tool.  Despite the power of CT technology, several limitations of this technology may prevent widespread use on a routine basis, including very high rates of false positive results.  For this reason, we are making available a new tool to physicians to enhance early detection rates of lung cancer in the form of a simple blood test for high risk patients, with significant smoking history.