-Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Although lung cancer is one of our most significant health concerns, we do not have effective tests for early detection or screening, until now.
· According to reports from the 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer, a new screening test will be available that analyzes sputum for signs of lung cancer.
· Researchers used a test called the Lung Cell Evaluation Device (LuCED), developed by VisionGate which utilized 3D imaging of cells found in sputum. The test used technology which allowed for early detection of lung cancer cells within the sputum.
· Researchers reported on a study of the new test which analyzed sputum samples from more than 400 patients with confirmed lung cancer.
The test accurately identified cancerous cells, predicting the presence of lung cancer in 90% of cases.

· Early detection of lung cancer remains one of the biggest challenges facing medicine today. This new lung cancer tests represents a real option and will likely become a standard screening test in the future.

Cristopher Geiler, M.D.

Reference
13th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC): Abstracts D1.3 and D1.5. Presented August 4, 2009.+