Blood test may identify lung cancer in early stages

A new study suggests that a simple blood test may be able to detect signs of lung cancer in its early stage, which would represent a promising strategy to improve survival rates.

The survival rate of people diagnosed with lung cancer is very low -- the two-year survival rate is only about 15 percent, due to the fact that the disease is often diagnosed in advanced stages.

If lung cancer is detected in its early stage, then by administering early treatment, patients have a greater chance of living a longer life than they would if their cancers were detected later.