Project Lung Cancer Screening in Southern Denmark

This pilot study is a prospective interventional feasibility study. The primary goal is to evaluate the impact on healthcare organization, administration of resources and costs, and thereby assessing the feasibility of implementing systematic screening for lung cancer among people at high risk in Denmark (current or former heavy smokers). The pilot study will be performed on Funen in the Region of Southern Denmark and will run over three years (2024-2026). One thousand randomly selected participants aged 60-74 years old, who meet the screening criteria, will receive annual LDCT scans for three consecutive years.

Data will be collected continuously throughout the study period. The analysis method will focus on descriptive statistics to display questionnaire response and participation rates, and assess the impact of screening on healthcare organization and resources. Furthermore, the result including direct and indirect effects of the screening process (e.g. number of positive findings, false positive results, and follow-up rates). The analyses will also include healthcare economics including resource consumption as well as qualitative assessments to describe potential differences between the screening population versus a corresponding control group of heavy smokers. Finally, the radiologists' assessments of the project's LDCT scans are compared to the assessment of an artificially intelligent algorithm to explore the opportunities of supporting a future national screening program.

Inclusion criteria

• Heavy smokers (≥ 30 pack years) or citizens with a PLCOm2012 calculated 6-year risk of lung cancer > 2%.
• Age: 60-74 years old
• Residence on Funen and surrounding islands

Exclusion criteria

• Cancer treatment or follow-up (except non melanoma skin cancer and similar low malignant cancers) within the past 12 months
• CT scan performed within the past 12 months