Is CT screening for lung cancer ready for prime time?

The recent early release of the preliminary results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) has generated a great deal of excitement regarding the potential of CT screening to reduce lung cancer mortality among high risk individuals. Although public policy decisions will await a more detailed analysis of the data following publication in peer-reviewed journals, a spirited dialogue about CT screening is already underway. With this in mind, and in the context of these preliminary results, the Journal has invited international leaders in the field of lung cancer screening to share their perspectives regarding the question ‘‘Is CT screening for lung cancer ready for prime time?’’ In this editorial feature, Dr Rob van Klaveren, a principal investigator of the ongoing Dutch-Belgian Randomized Lung Cancer Screening (NELSON) study, and Dr Claudia Henschke, a principal investigator of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), share their perspectives on this topic.