France is set to launch the ‘Impulse’ pilot program for lung cancer screening by year-end, targeting 20,000 participants aged 50 to 74, including current and recent smokers. The program aims to detect lung cancer early through low-dose chest scans and support smoking cessation. With lung cancer being a leading cause of cancer deaths, the initiative seeks to assess effective screening methods and hopes to commence initial scans by late 2025, potentially expanding before 2030.
Lung Cancer Screening Program ‘Impulse’ Set to Launch in France
The National Cancer Institute (Inca) has unveiled an exciting new pilot program aimed at lung cancer screening, named ‘Impulse,’ which is expected to roll out by the end of this year. Lung cancer, primarily caused by smoking, is characterized by abnormal cell growth in the lungs and tragically remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in France, claiming approximately 30,400 lives annually. While the rate of new cases has stabilized among men, it has surged among women, particularly those who began smoking later, raising concerns that deaths from lung cancer may surpass those from breast cancer in the near future.
Who Will Participate in the ‘Impulse’ Program?
This innovative pilot initiative aims to enroll 20,000 participants aged between 50 and 74 years. Eligible individuals include both current smokers and those who have quit within the last 15 years, provided they have a history of consuming at least 20 packs of cigarettes over their lifetime. Participants will undergo two low-dose chest scans spaced one year apart, followed by scans every two years, and they will also receive support for smoking cessation.
Professor Norbert Ifrah, president of Inca, believes there is a significant number of individuals eager to participate in screenings. Various healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and specialists in pulmonology and addiction, will be encouraged to refer potential candidates to participating centers.
Aiming for Effective Lung Cancer Detection
The primary challenge with lung cancer is that its symptoms often emerge too late, resulting in diagnoses at advanced stages where treatment options are limited. Currently, France has organized screening programs for three types of cancer: breast, colorectal, and cervical. Lung cancer has faced scrutiny due to concerns about ‘overdiagnosis’ of non-progressive tumors. However, recent studies indicate that low-dose CT scans can facilitate early detection of small, manageable tumors, potentially decreasing mortality rates by 20% to 25%.
In 2022, the High Authority of Health advocated for real-life trials before the potential launch of a nationwide screening program. The ‘Impulse’ initiative’s goal is to evaluate the most effective and safest screening methods, including scan frequency, the use of artificial intelligence, economic implications, and the impact on healthcare systems, according to Inca’s president.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Lung Cancer Screening
Inca’s president expressed optimism that the first scans could begin in the latter half of 2025, with the rollout occurring gradually across different regions in collaboration with local health agencies. The outcomes of the pilot study will significantly influence the decision to expand organized screening, with a hopeful outlook for broader implementation even before 2030.