Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial

Background: Early detection of lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening can shift diagnoses to early-stage disease and improve survival. However, LDCT has several challenges such as high false positive rate and indefinite cost-effectiveness. We report here secondary and explora...

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Main Authors: Viktor Wichmann, Sanna Iivanainen, Lauri Mattila, Veli-Pekka Kokkonen, Airi Jartti, Antti Kurtti, Riitta Kaarteenaho, Heidi Andersen, Antti Jekunen, Tuula Vasankari, Jussi Koivunen
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Language:English
Published: Medical Journals Sweden 2025-06-01
Series:Acta Oncologica
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Online Access:https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaoncologica/article/view/43093
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author Viktor Wichmann
Sanna Iivanainen
Lauri Mattila
Veli-Pekka Kokkonen
Airi Jartti
Antti Kurtti
Riitta Kaarteenaho
Heidi Andersen
Antti Jekunen
Tuula Vasankari
Jussi Koivunen
author_facet Viktor Wichmann
Sanna Iivanainen
Lauri Mattila
Veli-Pekka Kokkonen
Airi Jartti
Antti Kurtti
Riitta Kaarteenaho
Heidi Andersen
Antti Jekunen
Tuula Vasankari
Jussi Koivunen
author_sort Viktor Wichmann
collection DOAJ
description Background: Early detection of lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening can shift diagnoses to early-stage disease and improve survival. However, LDCT has several challenges such as high false positive rate and indefinite cost-effectiveness. We report here secondary and exploratory endpoints of the Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer combined with different smoking cessation approach in Finland (LDCT-SC-FI) study including recruitment channels, LDCT performance, and long-term smoking cessation. Methods: In this study, we randomized 200 current smokers with a significant smoking history in 1:1 fashion to receive a smartphone application or standard of care written materials, both for smoking cessation. All underwent LDCT screening at baseline and at 1-year. Participants were recruited through multiple channels, including newspapers, internet advertisements, and healthcare referrals. Results: Newspaper advertisements were the most effective recruitment method, accounting for 74.5% of participants while minority came through referrals (2.5%). LDCT screening demonstrated uptake of 96.7% for both rounds combined. Six lung cancers were detected with a positive predictive value of 75%. Of the detected lung cancers, five were at stage I and all of these underwent curative intent treatment. Smoking cessation rates at 1-year were higher in the application (18.3%) than in the control arm (12.8%), though the difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–3.41). Interpretation: This study suggests that LDCT screening for lung cancer is feasible in Finland. The screening examination uptake was high with both screening rounds, while the positive predictive value for lung cancer detection remained at good level.
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spelling doaj-art-cd093913c41e4ccb9777bdcf4a76f09c2025-08-20T02:09:12ZengMedical Journals SwedenActa Oncologica1651-226X2025-06-016410.2340/1651-226X.2025.43093Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trialViktor Wichmann0Sanna Iivanainen1Lauri Mattila2Veli-Pekka Kokkonen3Airi Jartti4Antti Kurtti5Riitta Kaarteenaho6Heidi Andersen7Antti Jekunen8Tuula Vasankari9Jussi Koivunen10Cancer Center Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, FinlandCancer Center Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, FinlandDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, FinlandDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, FinlandDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, FinlandUniversity of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, FinlandCenter of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, FinlandVaasa Central Hospital, Vaasa, Finland; University of Turku, Turku, FinlandVaasa Central Hospital, Vaasa, Finland; University of Turku, Turku, FinlandFilha, Helsinki, FinlandCancer Center Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, FinlandBackground: Early detection of lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening can shift diagnoses to early-stage disease and improve survival. However, LDCT has several challenges such as high false positive rate and indefinite cost-effectiveness. We report here secondary and exploratory endpoints of the Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer combined with different smoking cessation approach in Finland (LDCT-SC-FI) study including recruitment channels, LDCT performance, and long-term smoking cessation. Methods: In this study, we randomized 200 current smokers with a significant smoking history in 1:1 fashion to receive a smartphone application or standard of care written materials, both for smoking cessation. All underwent LDCT screening at baseline and at 1-year. Participants were recruited through multiple channels, including newspapers, internet advertisements, and healthcare referrals. Results: Newspaper advertisements were the most effective recruitment method, accounting for 74.5% of participants while minority came through referrals (2.5%). LDCT screening demonstrated uptake of 96.7% for both rounds combined. Six lung cancers were detected with a positive predictive value of 75%. Of the detected lung cancers, five were at stage I and all of these underwent curative intent treatment. Smoking cessation rates at 1-year were higher in the application (18.3%) than in the control arm (12.8%), though the difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–3.41). Interpretation: This study suggests that LDCT screening for lung cancer is feasible in Finland. The screening examination uptake was high with both screening rounds, while the positive predictive value for lung cancer detection remained at good level. https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaoncologica/article/view/43093Lung Cancercancer screeningLDCTSmoking cessation
spellingShingle Viktor Wichmann
Sanna Iivanainen
Lauri Mattila
Veli-Pekka Kokkonen
Airi Jartti
Antti Kurtti
Riitta Kaarteenaho
Heidi Andersen
Antti Jekunen
Tuula Vasankari
Jussi Koivunen
Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial
Acta Oncologica
Lung Cancer
cancer screening
LDCT
Smoking cessation
title Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial
title_full Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial
title_fullStr Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial
title_full_unstemmed Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial
title_short Lung cancer screening in Finland: a prospective randomized trial
title_sort lung cancer screening in finland a prospective randomized trial
topic Lung Cancer
cancer screening
LDCT
Smoking cessation
url https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaoncologica/article/view/43093
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