A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of thoracic CT screening for lung cancer in non-smokers and smokers of <30 pack-years aged 50-64 years (JECS study): research design

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2012 Dec;42(12):1219-21. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hys157. Epub 2012 Oct 5.

Abstract

In order to assess the efficacy of lung cancer screening using low-dose thoracic computed tomography, compared with chest roentgenography, in people aged 50-64 years with a smoking history of <30 pack-years, a randomized controlled trial is being conducted in Japan. The screening methods are randomly assigned individually. The duration of this trial is 10 years. In the intervention arm, low-dose thoracic computed tomography is performed for each participant in the first and the sixth years. In the control arm, chest roentgenography is performed for each participant in the first year. The participants in both arms are also encouraged to receive routine lung cancer screening using chest roentgenography annually. The interpretation of radiological findings and the follow-up of undiagnosed nodules are to be carried out according to the guidelines published in Japan. The required sample size is calculated to be 17 500 subjects for each arm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*
  • Research Design*
  • Smoking
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*