Investigating the impact of false positive results in lung cancer screening

Lung Cancer Screening: Cumulative Risk and Multilevel Impact of False Positive Findings

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10980096

This study is looking at how false alarms from lung cancer screenings can affect patients and the healthcare system, and it aims to find ways to reduce these false alarms so that everyone can have better conversations about their health and get the most out of their screenings.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10980096 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the effects of false positive findings in lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). It aims to assess the burden these false positives place on patients, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system as a whole. By analyzing data from multiple rounds of screening, the study seeks to identify factors that contribute to false positives and develop strategies to minimize their occurrence. This will help improve patient-clinician discussions and optimize the benefits of lung cancer screening.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 50-80 who are current or former smokers with a significant smoking history.

Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the age or smoking history criteria may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved lung cancer screening protocols that reduce unnecessary anxiety and invasive procedures for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated the challenges associated with false positives in cancer screening, suggesting that addressing this issue could lead to significant improvements in patient care.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.