Current opinions on lung cancer screening in the Nordic countries: A survey-based study

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with early detection critical for curative treatment. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can detect lung cancer at earlier stages, but its implementation in the Nordic countries remains limited. This study surveys invasive respiratory physicians in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark to explore their views on LDCT screening.

A web-based survey was conducted among invasive respiratory physicians in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland to assess opinions on lung cancer screening. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

A total of 125 respondents from 54 Nordic hospitals completed the survey. The majority reported no prior experience with LDCT screening. Most physicians were familiar with LDCT and recognized its potential to improve early detection, though opinions on national implementation were mixed. Key barriers identified included financial constraints, lack of trained personnel, and limited access to CT scanners. Significant differences were observed by country, hospital type, and years of clinical experience (p < 0.05).

Nordic respiratory physicians acknowledge the benefits of LDCT screening for early lung cancer detection but highlight substantial implementation challenges, particularly related to resources and personnel. Addressing these barriers, standardizing protocols, and exploring supportive measures such as risk-scores and AI-assisted imaging will be essential for successful adoption of national screening programs across the Nordic region.