WISSAM AL-JANABI

MD, MPH

None

STUDENT

PLCO (Learn more about this study)

PLCO-196

Mar 8, 2016

Statistical Comparison Between the Modified Logit Model and Cox Proportional Model of (PLCO)

There are two main types of lung cancer: nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type, and small cell lung cancer, which is about 20%. (Abeloff, Armitage, Niederhuber, and Kastan, 2008). Lung tumors have been closely linked to cigarette smoking. Furthermore, lung cancer is related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day; lung cancer increases about 60-70 fold for a person who smokes 2 packs/day compared to a nonsmoker. In particular, the percent of smokers in the United States alone is about 28% for males and 25% for females among people older than 18 years, and about 38% of high school seniors. (Fauci and Harrison, 2008) However, lung cancer only occurs in 15% of nonsmokers, which is due to a mutation in the cytosine kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). (Fauci and Harrison, 2008)

Fortunately, the results of the new studies that have been done recently by The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) regarding the use of low dose CT-scans (LDCT) in screening high risk patients for lung cancer have answered the following research questions: What is the significance of LDCT in lowering the mortality rate? And how could this screening method improve the quality of life and decrease the morbidity rate? (Wood and Eapen, 2005)

Our study will be complimentary to NLST’s studies, as well as add more information about the benefits of LDCT, and give better understanding of this new screening test. This new screening test will be a revolution in medical science and will end the suffering of millions of patients. Besides that, this study will give us a better understanding of the cofactors such as age, amount and duration of smoking, family history of cancer, and radon exposure. This screening test will fill the current need for a screening test for lung cancer, and the LDCT will become like other helpful screening tests (i.e., pap smears and mammogram). The information from this innovative project will give physicians and patients the proof of the speed of the development of medicine. This study will pave the road for this new technology to be approved for screening lung cancer in the near future, and will help us address the concerns of the FDA regarding this screening test.

This proposal reviews the literature regarding why LDCT should be on the top of the list among all screening methods that can be used for screening lung cancer, such as lowering the mortality rate of lung cancer specifically and all other mortality rates, and decrease morbidity and improve the quality of the life.