Up to now lung cancer screening has not been effective. Repeated studies have shown that annual chest X-rays were not sensitive enough to pick up early-stage ling cancer. A study published in the October 26, 2006  edition of the NEJM reported that lung cancer can be detected at its very earliest stage in 85 percent of patients using annual low-dose CT screening, and when followed by prompt surgical removal, the 10-year survival rate is 92 percent.

• Dr. Claudia Henschke, Chief, Chest Imaging Division at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, Professor of Radiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, lead author and principal investigator