A practical and adaptive approach to lung cancer screening: a review of international evidence and position on CT lung cancer screening in the Singaporean population by the College of Radiologists Singapore

Singapore Med J. 2019 Nov;60(11):554-559. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2019145.

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death around the world, being the top cause of cancer-related deaths among men and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Singapore. Currently, no screening programme for lung cancer exists in Singapore. Since there is mounting evidence indicating a different epidemiology of lung cancer in Asian countries, including Singapore, compared to the rest of the world, a unique and adaptive approach must be taken for a screening programme to be successful at reducing mortality while maintaining cost-effectiveness and a favourable risk-benefit ratio. This review article promotes the use of low-dose computed tomography of the chest and explores the radiological challenges and future directions.

Keywords: computed tomography; lung cancer; position paper; public health; screening.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Deep Learning
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods*
  • Europe
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Public Health
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiology / organization & administration*
  • Registries
  • Risk Assessment
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • United States