Low-dose CT for Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Conditions, Procedure and Challenges

The Lung Cancer Early Detection Ordinance (LuK-rFruehErkV) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) has been in force since July 1 of this year. However, those with statutory insurance will have to wait a little longer for early detection of lung cancer. When the BMUV Ordinance comes into force within the next 18 months, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) will decide whether and under what conditions an early detection program will be included in the standard care of the statutory health insurance. Only then will lung cancer early detection be available to patients as a structured program. In an interview, Professor Jens Vogel-Claussen explains how the BMUV Ordinance regulates the use of low-dose CT and what challenges need to be overcome. Professor Vogel-Claussen works at the Hannover Medical School and is a co-opted member of the board of the Thoracic Diagnostics Working Group of the German Radiological Society.