Peripheral early stage lung cancer: superiority of six-monthly over random chest films

An analysis of 100 biopsy-proven lung cancers found by chance chest films and treated by resection have been collected over a 20 year period. Data relating to sex of patients, smoking habits, age groups, lung and lobar sites, cell type, treatment and survival are stated and discussed in relation to the findings of a known planned study for detecting early stage lung cancer by chest films. It is concluded that, if a person at lung cancer risk is genuinely interested in having regular checks to catch early, operable disease, then his chances are best with six-monthly chest films.