The CT scan will only show the area around the lungs. We will not look for abnormalities in other organs. However, sometimes the doctor may coincidentally discover another serious abnormality. For example, this could involve cancers other than lung cancer or dilation of the aorta. In this case, further examination will be important for your health. But it may also make you feel worried and uncertain. Treating a severe abnormality that is discovered coincidentally can have very intrusive consequences. However, the condition may also be beyond treatment, which means you will know that you are ill, and also know that doctors can do little to assist you.
You are free to decide whether we should inform you if other severe abnormalities are encountered on your CT scan. You can mention this on the informed consent. If you provide consent, the study team will inform your GP about the matter. Your GP will then contact you and refer you to a specialist at the hospital.
Even though you indicated that you do not wish to be contacted if an abnormality is discovered coincidentally, the doctor may still do so. This may be done if the doctor believes that not telling you could be dangerous to your health or the health of people around you. Naturally, the doctor will consider this matter carefully and will not make the decision alone. In this case, advice will be requested from an independent committee. These people will have nothing to do with the study. Of course, these people will not be aware of your identity; they will only see a code.