COSMOS Study

On 17th September 2004 The European Institute of Oncology began the largest clinical study for early diagnosis of lung cancer ever conducted in Italy. The objective is to reduce the mortality rate of this disease, which is still the leading cause of death from cancer in all Western countries. In Italy alone there are 35,000 new cases and over 30,000 victims every year, with a worrying increase among women: almost 6,000 every year, with an increase of around 50% in the last 20 years.

Lo studio di anticipazione diagnostica dell’Istituto Europeo di Oncologia prevede il controllo annuale di 5mila volontari fumatori o ex fumatori per 5 anni mediante la tecnologia di diagnostica per immagini Tac Spirale. Heavy smokers and ex-smokers aged over 50 who have smoked or used to smoke at least one packet of cigarettes a day for 20 years may participate.

Participation is free, as the study is financed by the IEO and the Italian Association for Cancer Research. However, given the costs and enormous use of resources, a donation of 90 euros is requested from whoever is able to pay: equivalent to the “monthly cost of smoking”.

The study has now terminated its enrolment phase, but anyone wishing to make use of this tool for early diagnosis of lung cancer, recommended for heavy smokers and ex-smokers aged over 50 who have smoked or used to smoke at least one pack a day for 20 years, may book the examination (low dose lung CT) through our Bookings Service.

Low dose Lung CT measures the density of lung tissue in every cubic millimetre, and is 7 times more efficient at detecting lung nodules than the traditional chest X ray. There is no need for contrast agent injection and the radioactivity emitted is less than half that which we receive from nature (the air and the ground).
The three-dimensional images enable the lung's structure to be reconstructed and highlight any abnormal tissue.
The examination time is very fast at only 10 seconds for a complete scan, and the cost is less than three cartons of cigarettes.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all past and future participants in this highly important study.

To learn more about COSMOS Study, Send an e-Mail