Understanding the real-world benefits and risks of lung cancer screening

Applying causal inference methods to improve estimation of the real-world benefits and harms of lung cancer screening

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11095973

This project helps us understand how well lung cancer screening works for everyday people, not just those in clinical trials.

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-11095973 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Clinical trials show that lung cancer screening can save lives, but it also has downsides like false alarms and follow-up procedures. We know that people who get screened in the real world are often different from those in trials, and many don't complete all recommended screenings. This project aims to use advanced methods to get a clearer picture of the actual benefits and harms of lung cancer screening for the general population. By looking at real-world data, we hope to make screening programs more effective and tailored to patients' needs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant to individuals who are eligible for or considering lung cancer screening, especially those who might not fit the profile of typical clinical trial participants.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for lung cancer or are not eligible for screening would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and personalized lung cancer screening programs, helping more people benefit while minimizing risks.

How similar studies have performed: While clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of lung cancer screening, this project uses novel causal inference methods to specifically address the real-world effectiveness outside of controlled trial settings.

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.
Conditions Breast Cancer DetectionBreast cancer screeningCancer TreatmentCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.