Accuracy of chest film screening by technologists in the New York early lung cancer detection program

Abstract

A study of the feasibility of using specially trained radiologic technologists to screen chest radiographs was undertaken as part of an early lung cancer detection program. In their initial examination, 8,000 men had posteroanterior and lateral chest films which were prepared and evaluated by two specially trained technologists prior to interpretation by a radiologist. The technologists' accuracy in screening was subsequently assessed by comparison with the radiologist's interpretation and with clinical follow-up information. There were differences in the level of suspicion of the two technologists, but both were effective in selecting a subset of the screened population that contained the men with radiologically identifiable lung cancer.