Addressing lung cancer screening eligibility in Spain using 2013 and 2021 US Preventive Service Task Force criteria:...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
• Early detection through screening can significantly improve patient outcomes.
• The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) provides guidelines for lung cancer screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the proportion of Spanish lung cancer cases meeting USPSTF screening criteria from 2013 and 2021.
• To assess the impact of updated USPSTF guidelines on lung cancer screening eligibility in Spain.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed 15,006 lung cancer cases diagnosed in Spain (2016-2022).
• Data included patient demographics, smoking history (pack-years, cessation time), and diagnosis dates.
• Eligibility was determined based on USPSTF 2013 and 2021 recommendations.

Main Results:

• Screening eligibility increased from 53.7% (2013 criteria) to 63.5% (2021 criteria), a 9.8% rise.
• Eligibility increased by 9.2% for men and 11.5% for women under 2021 versus 2013 guidelines.
• Under 2021 criteria, significant proportions were ineligible: never-smokers (36.6% women, 5.3% men), age (14.9% women, 11.0% men), and ex-smokers cessation time (27.0% women, 35.6% men).

Conclusions:

• Over one-third of Spanish lung cancer cases do not meet the latest USPSTF screening criteria.
• The findings underscore the need to analyze potential nationwide screening program fulfillment.
• Developing country-specific inclusion criteria for lung cancer screening is recommended.