Ann Intern Med. 2013 Dec 31. doi: 10.7326/P14-9009. [Epub ahead of print]

Screening for Lung Cancer: Recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

[No authors listed]

"The USPSTF found 4 randomized trials that studied LDCT and chest x-ray for lung cancer screening. The largest and best trial showed fewer lung cancer deaths and deaths from any cause in adults with at least 30 pack-years of smoking who had yearly LDCT than in those who had yearly chest x-rays. The other 3 trials were too small to reach definite conclusions.

Harms of screening include radiation exposure, overdiagnosis, and a high rate of false-positive results. “Overdiagnosis” is finding and treating cases of cancer that may never have caused a problem for the patient. “False-positive” means that the test suggests that a patient has lung cancer when he or she does not. False-positive results can lead to unnecessary worry, additional tests, and even surgery."