Lung Cancer Alliance Congratulates American College of Chest Physicians for Reaffirming Benefit of Lung Cancer Screening for Those at High Risk

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) congratulated the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) for reaffirming its support for lung cancer screening for those at risk. This is in response to ACCP's publishing of a special supplement to its May issue of CHEST, ACCP's peer-reviewed journal, which cites evidence that CT screening, through a structured protocol, can reduce lung cancer deaths among high risk individuals. 

In November 2010, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced that its National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) was being halted because it had scientifically proven the mortality benefit of CT screening for those at risk for lung cancer. Since then, seven national medical societies have followed with screening guideline recommendations.  

In February 2012, LCA launched the National Framework of Lung Cancer Screening Excellence and Continuum of Care  to advise the public of its rights, to lay out the principles of responsible screening and commit to a continuous improvement process through the collection of data on outcomes.

To date, over 130 medical centers have adopted the National Framework or have been identified as following its best practices in cancer care including a multidisciplinary team approach. LCA is working to bring over 50 additional medical centers and their multidisciplinary teams into this network.

"This is not the time or place for fear mongering as lives hang in the balance," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President and CEO of LCA. "Medical professionals are doing their part and providing high quality responsible screening—some at little or no cost to help ease or eliminate barriers to access particularly for our most vulnerable populations."

"The federal government must now do the same. It is unconscionable that it has not acted with greater expediency given the strength of the scientific evidence and the magnitude of lung cancer's impact," she continued.

"We commit to remaining at the forefront in calling for responsible lung cancer screening and in securing coverage pursuant to the Affordable Care Act, by Medicare and Medicaid, and by commercial health plans," concluded Fenton Ambrose.

About Lung Cancer Alliance

Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), www.lungcanceralliance.org, is committed to ending injustice and saving lives through an alliance of advocacy, education, and support. LCA provides live, professional support, referral and information services for patients, their loved ones and those at risk for lung cancer; advocates for multiple millions in public health dollars for lung cancer research; and conducts national awareness campaigns.

Follow Lung Cancer Alliance on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lungcanceralliance. Follow us on Twitter: @LCAorg.

Media Contact:
Kay Cofrancesco
202-742-1422
[email protected]

SOURCE Lung Cancer Alliance

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