The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has decided to launch CT screening for veterans at high risk for lung cancer. 

The announcement was communicated Aug. 8 to Laurie Fenton Ambrose, president and CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) and in written correspondence by VA Under Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel, MD, according to a press release issued by LCA.

LCA launched in February a National Framework for Lung Screening Excellence and Continuum of Care to ensure that lung cancer screening is implemented responsibly, safely and cost effectively. The framework stresses the importance of a comprehensive continuum of care that includes a team of clinical specialists with expertise in pulmonary disease, thoracic surgery, radiology and oncology.

The VA has indicated it will also follow established best practices to ensure risk is minimized and the benefit maximized.