Lung Cancer Screening Pilot Program Launches in France
A new pilot program aimed at early detection of lung cancer and promoting smoking cessation has been launched in France. The program, called IMPULSION (IMPlémentation du dépistage du cancer PULmonaire en populatION), is coordinated jointly by Pr Marie-Pierre Revel (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris) and Pr Sébastien Couraud (Hospices Civils de Lyon).
The initiative, announced in January 2025, seeks to address the high mortality rate associated with lung cancer by identifying the disease at earlier, more treatable stages. Early detection is crucial for improving outcomes in lung cancer, a disease that remains a significant public health challenge.
According to the program details, IMPULSION will evaluate the best approaches for implementing a nationwide organized screening program in France, even as also considering regional variations. The program will test different methods for inviting individuals to participate and will prioritize outreach to vulnerable and isolated populations.
The year 2025 will primarily focus on preparation, with the first participants expected to be included in the study towards the end of the year. Researchers plan to recruit 20,000 volunteers over a period of 18 to 24 months.
Eligible participants will be individuals between the ages of 50 and 74 who are current or former smokers, having quit less than 15 years ago and with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years*. Screening will involve a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest.
This pilot program builds upon recommendations from the French National Cancer Institute and aims to establish a framework for widespread lung cancer screening in the country.
