SUMMIT Study results support the roll out of national lung cancer screening

SUMMIT Study results on the benefits of large-scale screening for lung cancer are published in The Lancet Oncology (26 March), ahead of the formal addition of lung cancer screening to the UK national screening programme from 1 April.

In the SUMMIT Study, conducted by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and UCL,12,773 people registered in 329 GP practices in north and east London were recruited between April 2019 and May 2021 and included in this analysis. A total of 261 study participants (2%) were diagnosed with lung cancer following their first lung cancer screening CT scan. Nearly 80% those were diagnosed at an early stage (1 or 2) and 90% had potentially curative treatment of surgery or radiotherapy.

The aim of the study was to assess how well low-dose CT lung screening could be carried out in a diverse, high-risk population in London. The study was designed so that it was realistic and practical for participants and for those providing follow up treatment and care for cancer or other identified illnesses. This included how and where the lung health checks were carried out, information for participants, e.g. in multiple languages, and referral to smoking cessation services.

A face-to-face lung health check was carried out on each person by a healthcare professional and included questions on smoking history, lifestyle and medical and family history. Depending on the answers in this initial stage, participants then had a low dose CT scan of the lungs. Scan results dictated whether immediate action, follow up appointments, or no action was needed. All participants, unless they withdrew from the study, were invited to have at least two further annual checks.

People whose scans showed signs of a lung nodule (spot on the lungs) above a minimum size underwent three- and six-month follow-up based on British Thoracic Society guidelines. Other non-cancerous respiratory related findings were referred for treatment in hospital or GP practice settings. Urgent cancer cases were referred to multidisciplinary teams for appropriate management.

Sam Janes, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at UCL/UCLH and Chief Investigator of the SUMMIT Study said:

“The SUMMIT Study provided vital information that aided the National Screening Committee in its recommendation to add lung cancer to the national screening programme. As a large scale study, it offered a template for developing the pilot for the lung health checks programme which was implemented in England over the last three years. It is a huge step forward in improving the early diagnosis of cancer that the pilot has now become part of the national programme alongside the established screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancers.”

The SUMMIT Study was a collaboration between UCLH, UCL, the National Institute for Health Research UCLH Biomedical Research Centre and GRAIL (a US healthcare company focused on the early detection of cancer).