Applicability of the USPSTF Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines in a Predominantly Black Veteran Population

Black individuals and veterans are at higher risk for developing lung cancer compared with that of the general population. Evidence suggests the screening criteria have been too conservative for this population.

This study is a retrospective chart review examining the applicability of the 2013 United States Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guidelines in a US Department of Veteran Affairs institution that served a a predominantly black population. Patients diagnosed with stage 1 or 2 lung cancer from 2005 through 2017 were included and grouped by whether or not they met United States Preventive Services Task Force screening criteria.

There was a significantly higher proportion of Black patients in the study group that did not meet screening criteria (68% vs 54%, P = .04), highlighting the concern that this population was being underscreened with the 2013 guidelines.

An individualized, risk-based screening model could be more effective at diagnosing early-stage lung cancer and requires more investigation.