Summary
The Veterans Health Administration promotes lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scans for eligible veterans aged 50-80 with a 20+ pack-year smoking history.
Early Lung Cancer Screening for Veterans: A New Initiative
The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation is working to increase access to lung cancer screening for veterans, particularly those who may be at higher risk due to military exposures. This initiative aims to help veterans catch lung cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Lung cancer is a serious health issue, and it often goes undiagnosed until it is in advanced stages. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment and survival. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans for people at high risk. This includes current and former smokers aged 50 to 80 who have smoked at least a pack a day for 20 years.
The new initiative, supported by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, focuses on veterans who may have additional risk factors, such as exposure to burn pits during military service. The study, called MAS-EXPAND, will screen veterans annually with LDCT scans to detect lung cancer early. It also aims to evaluate whether certain blood-based biomarkers and radiomics can help expedite lung cancer diagnoses.
This project is part of a broader effort to improve lung cancer screening and treatment for veterans. The VA-PALS Implementation Network, another initiative sponsored by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, aims to develop early-detection programs for lung cancer across VA medical facilities.
By expanding access to screening and improving detection methods, these initiatives hope to save lives and improve outcomes for veterans at risk of lung cancer. Early detection is key to effective treatment, and these efforts are crucial in the fight against this deadly disease.
