DENVER -- About 170,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. That's about 15 percent of all cancers.

"Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer all combined, so it's a huge problem for Americans," said Dr. Paul Bunn from the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Bunn said on top of that, the number of cancer patients is increasing each year among those who never smoke.

Now researchers are looking at a new spiral CT scan for early detection. Right now, about 3,000 of the 60,000 people nationwide in the study is from UCCC.

Bunn said that's a step in the right direction because when it comes to lung cancer, there's a need for more funds in educational programs to help make the public more aware.