Tobacco major Philip Morris is being sued by four Marlboro smokers for hi-tech screenings aimed at the early detection of lung cancer.
Tobacco major Philip Morris is being sued by four Marlboro smokers for hi-tech screenings aimed at the early detection of lung cancer. The four people are demanding that the company pay for spiral CT scans which is estimated at £300. If this were to be brought into force, it will serve to save several thousand lives as a result of early detection. The company has been accused of indulging in deceptive marketing to encourage smoking.
A class action status is sought by the group for all people aged over 50 years and who have been smoking a packet of cigarettes per day for 20 years. Even small tumors in the lungs can be detected by CT scans, leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Lung cancer accounts for 30% of all the cancer deaths. CT scans are also known for their high wrong positive results, and insurance firms generally do not cover these scans.
