LUNG CANCER SCREENING- THE ONTARIO? CANADA EXPERIENCE

Lung cancer remains the most significant cause of cancer death, accounting for about 20% of all cancer-related mortality. A significant reason for this is delayed diagnosis mostly related to lack of symptoms in early-stage disease. Low-dose computed tomography screening of high-risk, asymptomatic populations has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality. Various approaches have been taken on the implementation of lung cancer screening programs. Ontario Health Cancer Care Ontario OHCCO believes that screening that is delivered through organized programs is more likely to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, minimize the potential harms of screening and be cost effective when compared to screening that happens outside of organized programs. Based on lessons learned from a pilot project the province has now transitioned to a full provincial Ontario Lung Cancer Screening program. The key objectives of this presentation are to: discuss the need for early lung cancer detection; to clarify the use of the word Screening; to outline the essential components or the foundations of a screening program; and to summarize the Ontario experience on implementation of a population-based lung cancer screening program.