Researchers testing early detection of lung cancer

The trial*, funded by Cancer Research UK, aims to see if screening long-term smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) will lead to more cases of lung cancer being caught early. COPD is a degenerative lung condition - largely caused by smoking - that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and increases the chance of developing lung cancer.

Lung cancer is often diagnosed late - which makes it difficult to treat and mortality is high. Stephen Spiro of University College, London and colleagues are testing two new tests that may be able to pick up lung cancer early in the disease.

Half of the participants will be asked to give a sputum sample annually. If any abnormal cells are found, they wil be asked to take two further tests. The first is a spiral CT scan, the second is fluorescence bronchoscopy, in which fluorescent light is used to examine the lining of the airways.

If any abnormal cells are found in the tissue sample following the bronchoscopy and spiral CT scan, patients will be asked to have regular bronchoscopies. If the tissue sample shows only normal cells, patients will have a bronchoscopy and a CT scan once a year for the next five years.