[Low-dose screening for bronchopulmonary cancer: A general practitioner's perspective]

Lung cancer remains a major public health issue with a high mortality rate, largely due to delayed diagnosis. Major studies, such as NLST and NELSON, have demonstrated a significant reduction in disease-specific mortality through low-dose thoracic CT screening. This study aims to explore the application of this screening method for general practitioners in France.

A systematic review of international literature was conducted.

The analysis reveals that several countries, including the USA, South Korea, Croatia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, have implemented national programs involving GPs in identifying and referring eligible patients. Criteria for defining the target population vary across countries and are often based on risk scores. Screening is integrated into a comprehensive strategy that includes promoting smoking cessation, which is essential for maximizing public health benefits. The findings emphasize the critical role of GPs throughout the screening process - beginning with patient selection and continuing through post-screening follow-up. Organizational challenges, costs, management of false positives, and the psychological support required for patients are also addressed.

France is still in the pilot phase, with several studies, including the IMPULSION program, currently assessing the feasibility of a national screening program. Successful implementation will require coordinated efforts from GPs, health authorities, and screening stakeholders, guided by lessons learned from international experiences.