People at risk of developing lung cancer may in the future be able to undergo regular screening to detect any tumours which might present at an early stage.
Dr Ken O'Byrne, a cancer specialist at Dublin's St James Hospital, said yesterday trials are under way to determine if annual CT scans would be helpful in detecting tumours before they spread.
Studies were also looking at whether an annual blood test could achieve the same result.
"It would be brilliant if they worked," he said, but he stressed the results of the trials would not be available for some time yet.
The latest information on the possibility of putting in place screening for people at risk of lung cancer will be discussed tomorrow at the fourth annual British Thoracic Oncology Group meeting in Dublin.
The conference, which began on Wednesday, is being attended by 400 delegates from across Europe who represent all the disciplines involved in lung cancer treatment and care, including medical and clinical oncologists, respiratory physicians, thoracic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, pharmacists and scientists.
Dr O'Byrne, who is chairman of the thoracic oncology group, said early diagnosis of lung cancer, as with other forms of the disease, is very important. At present survival rates for lung cancer are poor because it is usually detected late.
"If 100 people came in with lung cancer today only 10 of them would be alive in five years' time. There is only a 10 per cent survival rate after five years because the majority present with advanced disease that cannot be removed by surgery," he said.
Therefore, it was important anyone with symptoms sought help early. Symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood-stained sputum, shortness of breath and chest discomfort.