Experts Offer Tips on Lung Cancer Prevention

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Due to the lack of supporting evidence, the guidelines recommend against the use of LDCT, chest X-rays or single or serial sputum cytologic evaluation for lung cancer screening in the general population, including smokers or others at high risk. The exceptions are for patients in well-designed clinical trials.

"Population screening for lung cancer is not recommended and may, ultimately, put the patient at risk for further complications," Dr. Gene L. Colice, vice chairman of the ACCP lung cancer guidelines, said in a prepared statement. "Nodules are commonly found during screening; however, to determine whether they are cancerous requires additional testing, which is fairly invasive and extensive. This may cause the patient needless risk, both physically and psychologically."

In terms of prevention, the guidelines recommend against the use of several common supplements and medications in at-risk patients or those with a history of lung cancer. Beta carotene tops the list of supplements that the ACCP recommends against. According to the data, there is a actually a higher incidence of lung cancer in people who use these supplements.

Other supplement recommendations:

• Vitamin A, including isotretinoin, has not been shown to decrease the number of second tumors and actually increases the risk of early death for current smokers.
• Vitamin E is not recommended for lung cancer prevention, as studies show that there is no difference in the occurrence of lung cancer between people taking vitamin E and those who are not.
• Aspirin has been shown in some studies to play a protective role, but the guidelines do not recommend aspirin for preventing lung cancer. Studies show aspirin does not decrease the risk of death or lung cancer incidence.

This is also the first edition of the guidelines to include recommendations on techniques that can help reduce the anxiety, mood disturbances and chronic pain associated with cancer.

Massage therapy is recommended as a way to reduce anxiety and pain.