2024-04-18 05:01:00
Lung cancer, the leading cause of oncological mortality in Belgium, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the chances of cure are very limited. Lung cancer screening reduces lung cancer mortality by 21% and general mortality by 5% among people who participate. Furthermore, according to KCE calculations, carrying out 3 screenings in 1,000 people at risk would prevent 3 deaths from lung cancer after 10 years.
But this screening also has disadvantages. Some participants would unnecessarily undergo invasive tests after false-positive results. Others would be diagnosed and treated for slow-growing tumors which would probably never have represented any danger (overdiagnosis), argues the KCE. Repeated exposure to radiation, even at low doses, also carries a slight long-term carcinogenic risk.
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Ultimately, carrying out such screening in Belgium would cost 18,530 euros per year of life gained in good health. “Screening for lung cancer can therefore be cost-effective if the authorities are prepared to pay more than 20,000 euros per year of life gained in good health,” figures the KCE.
According to the federal center of expertise, “it is now up to political decision-makers to make a carefully considered choice on the basis of these data and possible other factors”. The KCE recommends that the authorities first examine to what extent the target group would be willing to participate in screening after having been properly informed of all the advantages and disadvantages. Finally, it is necessary to evaluate in advance the impact of screening on the health budget and on the healthcare system.
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