[Skip to Navigation]
Invited Commentary
Less Is More
September 2015

The Psychological Effects of Lung Cancer Screening on Heavy Smokers: Another Reason for Concern

Author Affiliations
  • 1Research Center for Excellence in Clinical Preventive Services, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(9):1537-1538. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.3571

In August 2011, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) investigators published their results: screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) reduces mortality from lung cancer among heavy smokers.1 For some, these results were evidence enough to begin LDCT screening programs. Others2 more closely examined the total evidence about the value of lung cancer screening, that is, the extent to which the benefits justify the harms and costs.3

Add or change institution
×