MITA underscores life-saving value of low-dose CT for lung cancer detection
Washington, D.C. – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) today said that a study focusing on the estimated cost of implementing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for low-dose computed tomography (CT) for high-risk lung cancer patients in the Medicare program neglects the opportunity to save tens of thousands of patients. “Lung cancer screening for high risk populations will save thousands of lives and is at least as cost effective as other essential screening tests including breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings,” said Gail Rodriguez, executive director of MITA. “When assessing the full value of LDCT, it is critical to acknowledge the clinical and cost-effectiveness data that support its use.” An analysis from the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST), a nearly decade-long study involving more than 50,000 current and former heavy smokers ages 55 to 74, found that 12,000 deaths could be avoided every year if high-risk patients underwent a LDCT scan. Furthermore, an analysis of NLST presented at a Joint Meeting of the National Institutes of Health Board of Scientific Advisors and National Cancer Advisory Board in June 2013 also found that LDCT for patients at high risk for lung cancer is a cost effective diagnostic tool. In January, the USPSTF finalized its recommendation for the use of annual LDCT scans to screen individuals 55 to 80 years of age who are at high risk for lung cancer. Military hospitals began phased implementation of LDCT to detect lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. In November of 2013, the Naval Medical Center San Diego joined Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va., in offering the scans for smokers or former smokers over age 55, averaging a pack of day for 30 years. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Energy (DoE) and a number of private insurers, including WellPoint, Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates and Anthem affiliates, also now include the scans as a covered benefit. Insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act's health exchanges will begin coverage for the scans in 2015. Nearly 400,000 Americans are living with lung cancer, many of whom are eligible for Medicare. It is critical that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extend coverage of LDCT so that Medicare beneficiaries do not lose access to this essential diagnostic tool when they need it most. The study evaluating the USPSTF recommendations will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) later this month. ASCO has stated that it supports the USPSTF recommendations. ###
The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment, radiation therapy and radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, innovators and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for medical imaging and radiation therapy technologies. For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. Follow MITA on Twitter @MITAToday.
The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment, radiation therapy and radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, innovators and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for medical imaging and radiation therapy technologies. For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. Follow MITA on Twitter @MITAToday.