The Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B – Academisch Ziekenhuis Brussel) is advocating for the implementation of a structured and reimbursed lung cancer screening programme, similar to existing programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.
Why? Because lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality in Belgium, often diagnosed too late.
Low-dose chest CT screening (LDCT) has already proven effective internationally, showing a 20–30% reduction in mortality among at-risk smokers and former smokers.
But in Belgium, this screening is not yet reimbursed, despite a favourable cost‑effectiveness analysis by the KCE – Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre.
Could innovation also be part of the solution?
The Jules Bordet Institute, a member of the H.U.B, is a partner in the ALCOVE research project, which is exploring a non‑invasive approach:
Analysing exhaled breath using an electronic nose device to detect specific markers associated with lung cancer.
Goal: to identify high‑risk individuals earlier, reduce false positives, and optimise the use of CT scans.
A more accessible and more targeted screening strategy could save lives and reduce the costs linked to diagnosing lung cancer at advanced stages.
📚 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/g552jYyt
