Study Links Increased Chest X-Ray Use to Earlier Lung Cancer Detection and Better Survival Rates
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A groundbreaking study has revealed a significant link between the frequency of chest x-ray referrals from GPs and earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates for lung cancer patients. The study, published in the British Journal of General Practice, found that patients attending practices with the highest chest x-ray usage were more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. The practices with the highest chest x-ray usage also saw patients less likely to be diagnosed at the later stages of cancer - stage three and four. These patients were also shown to have better survival at both one and five years after diagnosis, compared with those with the lowest chest x-ray usage.
Lead author of the study, Dr Stephen Bradley from the University of Sheffield’s School of Medicine and Population Health, said: “Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths both in the UK and globally. This is an important step forward in our understanding of how to improve lung cancer detection. "By encouraging greater use of chest x-rays, we can potentially diagnose lung cancer earlier, when treatment is more likely to be successful."
Until now, it was not widely understood if GPs arranging more chest x-rays was beneficial. The uptake of chest x-rays varies a great deal between different GP practices - possibly in part because GPs may not have been convinced that there could be a benefit for patients with very common symptoms.
This is the first study of its kind which links chest x-ray rates and the national cancer registry
This study highlights how the use of investigations in primary care can help diagnose cancer at an earlier stage to give people affected by cancer the best chance of a good outcome. However, more research to understand the impact of other investigations used in primary care on patient outcomes is also needed to support efforts to diagnose cancer earlier.
Ref: Bradley S H, Neal R D et al. General practice chest X-ray rate is associated with earlier lung cancer diagnosis and reduced all-cause mortality: a retrospective observational study; British Journal of General Practice 24 March 2025; BJGP.2024.0466. DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2024.0466
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