Introduction

A cancer diagnosis strikes intense fear in us, and for good reason. Cancer is the leading cause of death in people aged less than 85 years,1 and is viewed as a death sentence which few can escape. Lung cancer is particularly ominous, accounting for more than the next three leading causes combined.

However, the National Lung Screening Trial provides hope, demonstrating 20% less lung cancer deaths through CT screening.2 This study also stimulates a focus on overdiagnosis—meaning, any cancer that would not result in death if left untreated. This concept contrasts starkly with the general view of lung cancer as a rapidly fatal disease. This binary, black-and-white view glosses over nuances and hampers a true understanding. Our conceptual framework profoundly affects our understanding of issues, and our thinking must keep pace with advances in an increasingly complex world. This article explores the concept of overdiagnosis and potential implications of CT screening.