Learn About the Mayo Lung Project

Summary

The Mayo Lung Project was a two arm randomized screening study designed to test if lung cancer mortality rates could be reduced through the use of periodic screenings. The intervention arm was offered a chest x-ray and sputum cytology every four months for six years while the usual care arm was advised at trial entry to receive the same tests annually. Extended follow-up was conducted through 1996. The study concluded that there was not a lung cancer mortality reduction for the intervention arm.

Study Years: 1971-1983

Randomized trial with two arms:

• Arm I: Usual Care
• Arm II: Intervention Screening (chest x-ray and sputum cytology)

Study Eligibility:

• Ages Eligible for Study: 45-80
• Sexes Eligible for Study: Male
• Recruited from Mayo Clinic outpatients
• Without known lung cancer
• Smokers of at least one pack of cigarettes per day
• Expected life expectancy of 5 or more years
• Respiratory reserve adequate to undergo lobectomy

Enrollment

Enrollment: 11,100

• 5,617 in Intervention Arm
• 5,483 in Control Arm

Total Study Population Demographics (11,100 Randomized and Eligible People):

• Age (years):
  • Mean: 55.4
  • Range: 38-76
  • Median: 55

Schema

The Schema is a timeline of the study. It indicates start/end points, visits expected, major testing to be done, and any other information that is crucial to understanding how the study was completed.

Main Findings

• Screening for Lung Cancer: Recent Experience in the United States
  Fontana RS, In Hansen HH
  Lung Cancer: Basic and Clinical Aspects. 1986; Pages 91-111