WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.04.14 Pilot Lung Cancer Screening Program and "Lung Health Check" in Lleida: Preliminary Results

Pdf Summary

This study reports preliminary results from a pilot lung cancer (LC) screening program combined with a comprehensive "lung health check" conducted in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, starting May 2023. The screening targeted high-risk individuals aged 50-80 years who were active or former smokers (within 15 years) with at least 20 pack-years of smoking exposure. Following the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) protocol, participants underwent low-dose chest CT (LDCT), lung function tests, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) screening, blood tests, and questionnaires.<br /><br />A total of 276 participants (63% male; 53.1% former smokers) were evaluated. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema were detected in 41.3% and 46.4% respectively. While most showed preserved spirometry, 36.6% exhibited reduced FEV1/FVC ratios (<70%), 45% had impaired DLCO, and 76.2% had increased residual lung volume, indicating notable lung function impairment. New diagnoses included emphysema (41.4%), COPD (12.8%), and AATD-related mutations (23%).<br /><br />Lung cancer was found in 11 participants (4%), predominantly at early stages (10 of 11 cases were stage I), highlighting successful early detection. The majority were adenocarcinomas (54.5%), with treatments including surgery (6 patients), radiotherapy (3), chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (1), and one patient declined treatment.<br /><br />The study demonstrates that LC screening combined with a comprehensive lung health evaluation effectively detects early-stage lung cancer and other significant smoking-related respiratory diseases, enabling timely intervention. This pilot program supports implementation of integrated screening models targeting high-risk populations, with potential to improve clinical outcomes through early diagnosis and management of both cancer and chronic lung conditions. Funding was provided by the Departament de Salud (SLT028/23/000191).

Asset Subtitle

Anna Sánchez Cucó

Meta Tag

Speaker Anna Sánchez Cucó

Topic Screening and Early Detection

Keywords

lung cancer screening

lung health check

low-dose chest CT

COPD detection

emphysema diagnosis

alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

smoking-related respiratory diseases

early-stage lung cancer

I-ELCAP protocol

integrated screening program