Independent experts expressed cautious optimism about the test. Currently, only 14 per cent of people with lung cancer are still alive five years after their initial diagnosis. Earlier detection would probably increase survival rates markedly, though the research results are mixed. Some scientists believe that detecting lung cancer early could increase the five-year survival rate to over 60 per cent. But other researchers have found that detecting lung cancer tumours early has no significant impact on survival.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women.
It killed an estimated 17,700 Canadians last year. Dr. Whiley stressed that while a screening test would be helpful in its treatment, new technology should not overshadow the fact that the disease is almost entirely preventable. If we could achieve that goal, we would eliminate 80-90 per cent of all lung cancer, and that should be our priority. Lung cancer takes 20 years or more to manifest itself. Most people do not have any discernible symptoms, which is why tumours are rarely discovered in the early stages.