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Temporal Trends in Lung Cancer Cases Diagnosed at Early Stage
S Jane Henley1, Emily E Adam1, Christine M Kava1
1Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
JAMA Oncology
|May 14, 2026
Summary
Lung cancer diagnoses at early stages have increased significantly since 2015, following recommendations for screening. Continued awareness and uptake of lung cancer screening are vital for early detection and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cancer Surveillance
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- The US Preventive Services Task Force recommended lung cancer screening for high-risk adults in December 2013.
- Increased screening uptake may correlate with changes in lung cancer diagnosis stage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in the percentage of lung cancer cases diagnosed at an early stage.
- To visualize temporal patterns in early-stage lung cancer diagnosis using heat maps.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive surveillance study utilizing US Cancer Statistics incidence data from 2003 to 2022.
- Analysis focused on malignant lung cancer diagnoses in US adults, stratified by year, age, and state.
Main Results:
- The percentage of lung cancers diagnosed at an early stage increased from 17.6% in 2003 to 30.1% in 2022.
- A notable acceleration in early-stage diagnoses occurred from 2015-2016 onwards.
- All states showed an increase in early-stage diagnoses, with significant variation in range over time.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a positive association between the implementation of lung cancer screening recommendations and an increase in early-stage diagnoses.
- Despite improvements, a significant proportion of eligible individuals are not up-to-date with screening.
- Enhancing awareness and uptake of lung cancer screening remain critical for cancer control and prevention efforts.
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