title: Demonstration program of population-based lung cancer screening in China: Rationale and study design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and has become an enormous economic burden in China. Low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) screening could reduce lung cancer mortality. The feasibility of conducting a population-based lung cancer screening with LDCT in China is uncertain.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2010, a demonstration program of lung cancer screening was initiated in China. High-risk individuals were enrolled in a cluster sampling design in different centers. Participants received baseline and annual screening with spiral CT and follow-up information was collected. The objective of this program is to evaluate the feasibility of conducting population-based LDCT lung cancer screening in the Chinese context. The rates of detection, early diagnosis and treatment are defined as indicators of program performance. The optimal management strategies for nodules are explored in the Chinese context based on experiences in other studies overseas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A demonstration program of ongoing prospective, multi-center, population-based lung cancer screening is being performed in China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This demonstration program will provide opportunities to explore the feasibility of LDCT lung cancer screening in the Chinese setting.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Environment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Qinghua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Environment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Yaguang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Cancer Hospital Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College (Yunnan Tumor Hospital) Kunming, Yunnan, China.
authors.forename: Yunchao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Jiewei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Xinyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Youlin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiao
keywords: Feasibility study; lung cancer; mass screening; spiral computed tomography