Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related death in the U.S., and many parts of the world.
Only about 13% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer had met low dose CT screening criteria before their diagnosis, according to a new study of the American College of Radiology.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related death in the U.S., and many parts of the world including Asia as well. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force expanded eligibility criteria in 2021, lowering the minimum screening age from 55 to 50 and reducing the smoking history threshold from 30 pack years to 20, aiming to capture more high risk individuals previously excluded from screening.
Researchers set out to evaluate the real world impact of those expanded guidelines using data from their own health system. At the time of diagnosis, about 46% of patients had never smoked, 45% were former smokers, and 9% were current smokers.
Eligibility could be determined for 1,119 patients, and only 148 of them, women, along with patients of Asian, mixed race or Hispanic background were less likely to qualify for screening. Among eligible patients fewer than 10% had actually undergone low dose CT screening.
The research also found that only about 60% of patients had adequate smoking history data recorded in their charts, consistent with prior research showing electronic health records often underestimate patients smoking exposure. Researchers recommended more inclusive risk models, along with health system changes like improved electronic record workflows and provider reminders, to help boost screening rates going forward.
