Finally, we have to look hard at the control group with the yearly chest x-ray and sputum analysis. This group knew that the other people were getting chest x-rays and sputum analysis every four months. They had an incentive to get this done. In fact, they got a phone call yearly to get it done. In reality, that is not what happens in our general population.
People show up with an abnormal chest x-ray.
It may be that this is the wrong control group to really look at. Perhaps the best study to do is an intensive monitoring compared to a control group that essentially has no followup. They still advise them to make yearly chest x-rays and sputum analysis. So the answer to his question, maybe we would have found it earlier, but it probably wouldn't have changed how we approach it and what the ultimate outcome was from his disease. All rights reserved.