Highlighting the importance of screening on World Lung Cancer Day

On Aug. 1, lung and respiratory organizations come together to honor World Lung Cancer Day and raise awareness for one of the most common cancers.

According to the American Lung Association, screening for lung cancer is recommended among individuals aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and are either currently smoking or quit smoking in the last 15 years.

To catch lung cancer early, it is crucial that these “high-risk” adults undergo low-dose CT screening.

“With one in four cancer deaths attributed to lung cancer, promoting early detection through lung cancer screening is critical to reduce lung cancer deaths worldwide,” M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF, American Thoracic Society president, said in an ATS press release.

In recognition of World Lung Cancer Day, Healio editors have compiled a list of relevant news stories on lung cancer screening posted in the last 5 months, which feature studies on the likelihood for undergoing screening among veterans, the importance of addressing screening barriers and the use of low-dose CT screening in low-risk patients.

Low likelihood for undergoing lung cancer screening after referral among Black veterans

Compared with white veterans, Black veterans had a reduced likelihood of carrying out a lung cancer screening referral, according to study results published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.

Recognizing lung cancer screening barriers can increase number of eligible patients screened

A lung nodule detection program saw an increase in low-dose CT for Black and Hispanic individuals after addressing screening barriers, according to research presented at the ATS International Conference. Read more.

Information sheet after lung cancer screening results helpful, but discussion still needed

A commonly asked questions sheet addressing needs related to comprehension of lung cancer screening results was positively received by patients and clinicians, according to study results published in CHEST. Read more.

Low-dose CT screening may lead to lung cancer overdiagnosis in low-risk patients

High incidence of lung cancer paired with stable lung cancer-related mortality rates when low-dose CT screening was introduced suggests overdiagnosis, specifically in women, according to study results published in CHEST. Read more.

U.S. newspaper articles on lung cancer screening over last 10 years mostly positive

More than three-fourths of newspaper articles on lung cancer screening published from 2010 to 2022 had a positive sentiment, according to study results published in American Journal of Roentgenology. Read more.

References:

• Is lung cancer screening right for me? https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/screening-resources/is-lung-cancer-screening-right. Accessed July 28, 2023.
• Lung cancer screening resources. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/screening-resources. Accessed July 28, 2023.
• Respiratory groups stress lung cancer risks and importance of early screening and treatment for World Lung Cancer Day. https://www.thoracic.org/about/newsroom/press-releases/world-lung-cancer-day-2023.php. Published July 28, 2023. Accessed July 31, 2023.