Earlier diagnosis of lung cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review options for more rapid diagnosis of lung cancer at an earlier stage, thereby improving survival. These options include screening, allowing general practitioners to refer patients directly to low-dose computed tomography scan instead of a chest X-ray and the abolition of the ''visitation filter'', i.e. hospital doctors’ ability to reject referrals from general practitioners without prior discussion with the referring doctor.

Keywords

• Low-doseCT
• Early diagnosis in lung cancer
• General practitioner
• Open acsess CT
• Unspecific symptoms in lung cancer
• Diagnostic pathways in lung cancer