Prevent Cancer Foundation convenes experts in lung cancer, COPD and cardiovascular disease

This post has been sponsored by the American Lung Association as part of their support of the 2021 Quantitative Imaging Workshop.

Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer death. This is because it is often found at late stages, when the cancer has already spread and the prospects for cure are poor. Though experts say lung cancer screening is gaining acceptance, there are many barriers to screening that are contributing to overall low screening rates, with just over 6% of eligible patients getting screened.

In partnership with the American Lung Association, the Prevent Cancer Foundation convened stakeholders virtually to discuss advancing earlier detection of lung cancer, COPD and cardiovascular disease through quantitative low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) imaging at its 18th Annual Quantitative Imaging Workshop.

This year’s Workshop topic was “Optimizing Thoracic Imaging to Detect and Manage Early Lung Cancer/COPD” and explored the following topics:

• Optimizing image acquisition and analysis for both lung cancer and COPD without compromising image quality
• Improving preventive outcomes with current early COPD/lung cancer interventions
• Determining how longitudinal imaging can be used to develop signatures for early disease
• Detecting and applying artificial intelligence to screening processes

The Foundation also presented the ninth James L. Mulshine, M.D., National Leadership Award to Mary Pasquinelli, DNP, a specialist in pulmonary and medical oncology. This award recognizes individuals who have had a profound impact on reducing the toll of early thoracic disease. Dr. Pasquinelli was honored for her work in advancing lung cancer screening among medically underserved communities through patient care, research and publications.

The Quantitative Imaging Workshop is an event that fosters results. Two combined COPD and lung cancer screening protocol guidance documents—focused on possible clinical interventions and quality image acquisition for COPD and lung cancer—will be released in the coming weeks as a result of the conversations that took place at this year’s Workshop.

We are thankful for the American Lung Association’s partnership on this important event that convenes leaders in lung cancer, COPD and cardiovascular disease and encourages a discussion around the quality and accuracy of screening. Their support makes conversations like this possible and the Foundation looks forward to future conversations and events to exchange ideas on new biomedical opportunities so we can create a world where no one dies of cancer.

Read more about the history and past results of the Quantitative Imaging Workshop.