According to a new investigation, lung cancer may be detected at an earlier stage by screening individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) early. The study suggests that if clinicians can detect COPD at an earlier stage, this will also help to detect lung cancer early. The study is published online today (Nov. 16, 2011) in the European Respiratory Journal.

The publication of the investigation coincides with World COPD Day, which aims to increase awareness of the disease and care of individuals around the world who suffer with COPD.

Around the world COPD and lung cancer are major health problems that are on the rise. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the world and lung cancer is the seventh, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Even though researchers have long known that these two conditions are associated, they have only just begun to understand the genetic interactions that link COPD and lung cancer in the last 10 years.

In the new investigation, the researchers set out to review numerous research papers from the last two decades that examined how COPD and lung cancer was linked as well as how crucial it was to detect COPD for lung cancer surveillance.

The researcher’s examination revealed that individuals with COPD are more likely to develop lung cancer compared to individuals who currently or previously smoked with normal lung function. Out of individuals with COPD approximately 1% develops lung cancer each year compared to 0.2% of people with normal lung function. This finding represents a five time increase in the risk of COPD patients developing lung cancer.

In addition, the results indicate that testing the lung function of current or former smokers may help to identify COPD at an early stage. Patients diagnosed with COPD should then be monitored by CT scan to assist with the early detection of lung cancer.

Yasuo Sekine, lead author of the investigation from the Tokyo Women’s Medical University, explained:

“Both COPD and lung cancer have high mortality rates and serious economic impact worldwide. Early detection and intervention for both diseases are critical. The findings from our analysis suggest that early detection of COPD in addition to lung cancer screening for these patients could be an effective detection technique for lung cancer. However, further research is still needed to determine the selection criteria for COPD and lung cancer screening.”

Monica Fletcher, Chair of the European Lung Foundation and Chief Executive of Education for Health, stated:

“Early detection of both COPD and lung cancer is vital if we are to make steps towards combating these diseases. Millions of people have COPD, yet it is often undetected. People frequently ignore the symptoms of lung disease and leave it too late before going to the doctor. This research highlights the need for routine lung function tests, known as spirometry, to help improve quality of life and identify other conditions that could be present.”

Professor Klaus Rabe, President of the ERS, explained:

“This study highlights the link between chronic non-communicable diseases, such as COPD and lung cancer. It reminds us that we can no longer consider these diseases in isolation, but rather how they impact on each other and on the patient. The European Respiratory Roadmap, which was launched last month, outlines the need for greater coordination between medical specialists to improve patient care. On World COPD Day, we would also urge European governments to improve early detection of respiratory diseases, such as COPD.”

Written by Grace Rattue