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2021-06-02

North German lung cancer centers launch HANSE Lung Check

News 2021-222 EN

In early summer 2021, the largest German program to date for the early detection of lung and cardiovascular diseases will start at three northern German sites in the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). More than 12,000 women and men aged 55-79 years, who as (ex-)smokers are at increased risk of lung tumors, are invited for a free lung check. Up to 5,000 free low-dose CT examinations will be offered in a mobile study truck alternating between Hannover Medical School, Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital and the LungenClinic Grosshansdorf. To register, visit https://www.hanse-lungencheck.de.

Early Lung Cancer Detection in Germany - Status Quo

Germany has a long history of cancer screening programs. These screening programs focus on cancers such as breast and colorectal cancer and, more recently, cervical and skin cancer. In women, lung cancer is the cancer that most often leads to death after breast cancer. In men, it is even the most common cause of cancer-related death. It is scientifically proven that lung cancer screening by low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by achieving earlier initial diagnosis in former and active heavy smokers. However, to date, early lung cancer screening has not been established in Germany. However, a national lung cancer screening program that would be covered by statutory health insurance is not expected to be realized before 2022.

HANSE Lung Check to be launched

Against this background, the HANSE Lung Check is intended as a pilot study to prove that a holistic and effective lung cancer screening program can be implemented in Germany. In addition, a broad scientific support program is examining various options to improve the effectiveness of early detection for lung cancer and other chronic diseases. The study is supported and funded by the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca as part of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a partnership between industry and academia.

Early detection saves lives

Prof. Jens Vogel-Claussen, MD, scientific director of the study, commented: "I am very grateful to all participants, the Lung Ambition Alliance and the DZL for this important initiative. Because of my many years of experience in the field of lung research, lung cancer screening is particularly close to my heart." In this regard, Professor Vogel-Claussen emphasizes, "Lung cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, which is why more than half of all lung cancer patients are not diagnosed until they reach a metastatic stage." Early detection of the tumor disease using modern low-dose computed tomography therefore improves the prospects of cure and can save lives. "With the HANSE Lung Check, we want to help ensure that an appropriate early detection program can be implemented promptly in Germany as part of a health insurance provider service for high-risk patients. I would also like to express my gratitude to the volunteers from northern Germany who will be actively participating. In this way, they are making a major contribution to their personal health care and, in particular, to our society," said the radiologist, expressing his thanks.

Patron Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen

A prominent patron of the HANSE study is Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen. His ability to present even serious topics with lightness and humor make him the ideal ambassador for the study. With his commitment to the topics of smoking and preventive health care, he is an important success factor in getting many smokers interested in participating in the study and in the free lung check.

"Suppose your body was a used car - would you buy it?" asks Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen in his video message at https://www.hanse-lungencheck.de. And to all people with an increased risk of lung cancer, the celebrity doctor advises: "Take advantage of free preventive examinations and just have a look!"

The HANSE Lung Check

In this screening program, the feasibility and effectiveness of a model-based versus a conventional risk assessment for lung cancer is tested, since especially persons with an increased risk of lung cancer benefit from a screening program. At the same time, possible other lung or heart diseases are examined based on specific changes in computed tomography (CT) scans. The HANSE Lung Check uses state-of-the-art CT technology. This uses a particularly low radiation dose, which is only about one tenth of the average annual natural radiation in Germany. The image data is evaluated by experienced radiologists trained for this purpose, supported by state-of-the-art image evaluation software with artificial intelligence. Characteristics such as changes in the blood or breathing air will also be used for early lung cancer detection.

To participate in the screening program, a total of approximately 350,000 people in the greater Hannover, Hamburg and Lübeck areas will be contacted or approached by general practitioners and specialists in private practice in order to recruit a total of 12,100 test subjects. (Ex-)smokers aged 55-79 can also register for the HANSE Lung Check directly online at https://www.hanse-lungencheck.de. The project is designed in such a way that the sites of the Hannover Medical School, the LungClinic Grosshansdorf and the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck Campus, jointly contribute to the data collection. Once a subject registers to participate, he or she first receives a personal risk assessment for the likelihood of developing lung cancer in the next few years. Participants at particularly high risk of developing lung cancer will then be invited for a screening in the mobile study truck. During this process, each participant will be offered an appointment at the site closest to their home among the three sites.

What can participants expect during the screening examination?

At the mobile study truck, a low-dose CT examination is performed on test subjects with a particularly high risk of lung cancer. With this gentle imaging procedure, the subjects receive detailed information regarding any lung disease that may be present and can subsequently receive medical care. In addition, information about cardiovascular disease (arteriosclerosis) can also be derived from the examinations. All examination results are evaluated by an interdisciplinary team of experienced pulmonary specialists and radiologists using state-of-the-art technology. The results of the examinations are communicated to the participants and the respective family physician.

 

Further information:

Original publication: https://www.hanse-lungencheck.de/download/Pressemeldung_Hanse_Mai_25.pdf

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