Separating the benign findings from the real ones, and determining which require immediate action and which mandate a wait and see approach, is where the real work comes in, he said. Every lesion found more than 7 millimeters in size will be reviewed by U.Va.'s multispecialty, weekly chest conference to reach a consensus on the best course of treatment. I really think the biggest benefit to this program is the follow-up evaluation we can provide. With the help of an advanced computer system, the program's coordinator, U.Va. nurse Jane Guarini, will track the screening results. Guarini said they hope that in a few years, the data will show the screening program improves lung cancer survival rates, and insurance companies will see it is worth covering.
Lung cancer is the most lethal form of cancer among men and women.
According to the American Cancer Society , nearly 160,000 people in the U.S. die each year from the disease, more than colon , prostate , breast , ovarian and uterine cancers combined. Screenings are not a panacea, and this is not a cure, but it's the best chance we have right now to help people survive lung cancer. Daniel said he expects 30 to 40 percent of those tested will also have some early stage of emphysema. Appropriate follow-up care with the Division of Pulmonary Medicine will be recommended for those patients. Information on U.Va.