Screening for Lung Cancer - 10 States, 2017

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Oncology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
• Early detection through screening can improve treatment effectiveness and reduce mortality.
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening for high-risk individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the state-level prevalence of lung cancer screening among eligible adults.
• To determine the percentage of adults meeting USPSTF screening criteria who received a low-dose CT scan.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 10 states.
• Analyzed data from adults aged 55-80 years with a 30 pack-year smoking history (current or former smokers within 15 years).
• Calculated the proportion of eligible adults who received lung cancer screening within the past 12 months.

Main Results:

• 12.7% of adults aged 55-80 years met the USPSTF criteria for lung cancer screening.
• Among those meeting the criteria, only 12.5% reported receiving a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer detection in the last year.
• Significant variation in screening prevalence may exist across states.

Conclusions:

• The uptake of recommended lung cancer screening remains low among eligible individuals.
• Educational initiatives for healthcare providers and decision support tools could enhance screening rates.
• Further efforts are needed to increase adherence to lung cancer screening guidelines.