Low-dose chest CT for lung cancer screening may also play a significant role in detecting coronary artery disease (CAD), according to new research.

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) found that 83% of patients screened for lung cancer had detectable coronary artery calcium, a key marker of CAD.

The research, conducted at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, examined data from 1,486 patients screened as part of Ontario's Lung Cancer Screening Pilot for People at High Risk. The patients, with a mean age of 66 years, included 68% current smokers, and 52% were male. Coronary artery calcium was found in 1,232 individuals, and nearly a third (30%) had high levels of calcium, indicating an elevated risk for CAD.
"Lung cancer screening, although primarily geared toward reducing deaths from lung cancer, also has an opportunity to help tackle the second most common cause of premature death in middle-aged adults," wrote Dr. Gary Small and coauthors.

As lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada, low-dose CT scans are being adopted nationwide to screen high-risk populations. This imaging technique also allows for the incidental detection of coronary calcification, which is strongly linked to CAD, the most common cause of cardiac death.

The study's authors emphasized the potential of these findings to enhance survival rates for two leading causes of death: lung cancer and CAD. However, they cautioned that incidental findings could lead to unnecessary or inappropriate follow-up investigations if not managed correctly.

The researchers call for additional studies to establish best practices for managing patients with coincidentally detected coronary artery calcium. They propose that cardiovascular disease prevention be integrated into lung cancer screening programs to promote broader health benefits.

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