MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper has joined a Lung Cancer Early Detection study aimed at improving lung cancer screening methods for those at risk. The study is part of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Moon Shots ProgramTM, a collaborative effort to accelerate advances that save patients’ lives.
“Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death from cancer in both men and women, and cigarette smoking is the single biggest risk factor,” said Robert A. Somer, MD, Medical Director of Clinical Trials at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, a partner in the MD Anderson Cancer Network.
“Screening for lung cancer is a relatively new recommendation that is based on the results from the National Lung Screening Trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, and years of clinical research. The research demonstrates that screening in certain people can prevent one in five deaths from lung cancer through early detection and treatment,” said the investigating physician at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, David D. Shersher, MD.
By participating in MD Anderson’s Lung Cancer Early Detection study, long-term, high-risk, heavy smokers, and former smokers will receive a low-dose CT scan that may be able to detect the presence of lung cancer early, which could result in earlier treatment.
The study is open to men and women, 55 years and older:
- Who are current smokers, or who quit smoking less than 15 years ago.
- Who have a smoking history of 30 pack years or more. (30 pack years is equal to smoking one pack of cigarettes every day for 30 years, or two packs per day for 15 years.)
Men and women, 50 years and older:
- Who are current smokers.
- Who have a smoking history of 20 pack years or more. (20 pack years is equal to smoking one pack of cigarettes every day for 20 years, or two packs per day for 10 years.)
- And who have one other lung cancer risk factor, e.g., contact with radon, asbestos, other lung diseases, or a family member who has had lung cancer, etc.
For more information, call 856.735.6321.
MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program was launched in 2012 to accelerate the development of scientific discoveries into clinical advances that save patients’ lives. The program established focused, multidisciplinary teams of clinicians and researchers tasked with developing comprehensive approaches to improving the lives of patients and reducing cancer deaths. The Moon Shots Program already has yielded notable discoveries across the spectrum of cancer care, including prevention, early detection and treatment.