Photonics Initiative Backs Preventative CT Scans

The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) has applauded the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) for its recent recommendation strongly endorsing low-dose CT scans for patients at high risk for lung cancer.

“NPI member organizations have long supported the development of the platform and software that allow for the precise measurement of suspect nodules, critical for accurate, early diagnosis of lung cancer,” said NPI spokeswoman Emily Pappas.

Only 16 percent of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a stage when the disease is most treatable and curable, making it the most deadly form of cancer in the US. CT scans can aid in detecting and identifying suspicious lung nodules early and determine which nodules are growing at a rate consistent with the behavior of an aggressive lung cancer.

“CT scans and other life-saving imaging technology would not exist without optics and photonics,” Pappas said. “Photonics plays a key role in next-generation health care, both in enhancing the ability to observe and measure symptoms and the capability to treat patients earlier with less invasive, more cost-effective methods. Further investment in photonics will lead to additional technological breakthroughs that, like the CT scan, can allow for preventative screenings and treatments that will ultimately lead to better care and lower health-related costs for Americans.”

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