Published on November 4, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT
Jim Wood
703-837-3692
jim.wood@preventcancer.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA — November 4, 2010 – The Prevent Cancer Foundation applauds the announcement this morning by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on the initial results of the National Lung Screening Trial, a large-scale, NCI-sponsored test of screening methods to reduce deaths from lung cancer by detecting cancers at earlier, more treatable stages.
More than 53,000 people at high risk of developing lung cancer were screened by either chest X-ray or low-dose spiral CT scans. The study found twenty percent fewer lung cancer deaths among trial participants screened with low-dose spiral-CT.
“For an organization that for twenty-five years has focused its energies and programs on prevention and early-detection of cancer,” said Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé, President and Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, “November 4, 2010 will go down as one of the most significant milestones in the fight against a disease that takes more lives than breast, prostate, colorectal and pancreatic cancers combined.”
This study’s findings are an important discovery in the early detection of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, nationally and globally.
In his official announcement, NCI Director Harold Varmus, M.D., stated “This large and well-designed study used rigorous scientific methods to test ways to prevent death from lung cancer by screening patients at especially high risk.”
“We have long hoped that an effective method for early detection of this leading cancer killer would be identified,” said Mrs. Aldigé. “Spiral CT is relatively inexpensive and easy and can be done by holding your breath for a matter of seconds. When we have the necessary infrastructure, policies and resources in place to screen for lung cancer as part of routine preventive measures, the impact on public health will be enormous.”
James L. Mulshine, M.D., Prevent Cancer Foundation board member and Associate Provost for Research and Vice President for Research at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL said: “With this positive trial result, we have the opportunity to realize the greatest single reduction of cancer mortality in the history of the war on cancer.”
To learn more about the announcement and lung cancer, go to www.preventcancer.org.
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About The Prevent Cancer FoundationSince its inception the Prevent Cancer Foundation has provided more than $120 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to more than 400 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
