Segment 4 - Screening

Panelists discuss screening recommendations and guidelines, including considerations for screening those patients with a smoking history. They also discuss screening’s role in reducing mortality rates.

Dr Sugarbaker says the most recent recommendations from CMS are built on previous consensus studies which determine which groups of patients should receive annual screenings, and how often suspicious screenings should be followed up. When a nodule is found, depending on the size, surgery may be recommended.

Dr Corey says that in comparison to mammograms or colonoscopies, the impact and awareness of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) is not as well known. He suggests that guidelines should be more concrete, especially in regards to the regulation of patient follow-up.