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Why Does Lung Cancer Screening Matter?

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for the highest mortality rate (18.7% in 2022).1

Despite its clinical benefits, only 5%-6% of eligible individuals undergo LCS.9
  • The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for adults aged 50-80 years with a 20 pack-year smoking history, who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.10

Deciphering Barriers to LCS

Screening-related Concerns

83%

of survey participants perceived potential harm from false-positive findings as a significant barrier to LCS11

65%

of smokers who did not intend to screen were worried about lung cancer risk from radiation exposure12

Practical Barriers

18%

of non-participants in the UK LCS Trial declined screening due to travel challenges, including distance and trip costs12

Differences in CT scanner availability across countries significantly impact the effective implementation of LCS14

 

438.9–44.3
US13Europe14

Number of CT scanners per million population

Other Barriers

  • Fear of cancer diagnosis15
  • Smoking-related stigma12
  • Low perceived risk of lung cancer15
  • Suboptimal integration of LCS into primary care11
  • Lack or minimal reimbursement for LCS12,16
  • Difficulties integrating a CT screening policy at the national level17-19
  • Limited number of CT scanners in rural areas17
  • Low health literacy17 & LCS not being considered a medical priority in some regions20

Ways to Overcome These Barriers

Increasing awareness about the benefits of ultra-LDCT-based LCS, such as lower radiation exposure21 and AI-enhanced image quality22

Adopting mobile screening units to reach high-risk populations facing geographic barriers12,15,17,23,24

  • Supporting multidisciplinary efforts to develop national programs for LCS and improve its integration into primary care16,17,19
  • Integrating co-morbidities/combination screening into LCS25-27
  • Supporting societal initiatives that promote and enhance LCS:
    ・Patient advocacy groups (including smoking cessation groups)12,28
    ・Promoting smoke-free generations29
    ・Creating a health-conscious society15

Improved implementation of LCS and uptake of eligible patients

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  • References:
    1. Bray F, et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(3):229-63. 2. Corrales L, et al. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2020;148:102895. 3. CDC Smoking and Tobacco Use. Health problems caused by second-hand smoke. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/health.html accessed on 30 August 2024. 4. Berg C, et al. PL02. 07. J Thorac Oncol. 2021;16(10):S846-7. 5. Nishida C, et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(5):2788. 6. Kanwal M, et al. Oncol Lett. 2017;13(2):535-42. 7. Lam DC, et al. J Thorac Oncol. 2023;18(10):1303-22. 8. Li C, et al. Cancer Biol Med. 2022;19(5):591–608. 9. Gomes R, et al. BMC Prim Care. 2023;24(1):62. 10. Zarinshenas R, et al. Cancers. 2023;15(5):1595. 11. Barton MK. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65(4):255-6. 12. Wang GX, et al. Radiology. 2019;290(2):278-87. 13. Poon C, et al. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1264342. 14. van Meerbeeck JP, et al. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2021;10(5):2407. 15. Cavers D, et al. Respir Res. 2022;23(1):374. 16. Coughlin JM, et al. J Thorac Dis. 2020;12(5):2536-44. 17. Dodd RH, et al. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2024;13(2):240. 18. Pinsky PF. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2018;7(3):234. 19. Wang P, et al. Bull Cancer. 2023;110(1):42-54. 20. Santos R, et al. PL03. 02. J Thorac Oncol. 2021;16(10):S826-7. 21. Vonder M, et al. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2021;10(2):1154-64. 22. Yang L, et al. Clin Radiol. 2023;78(7):525-31. 23. Dickson JL, et al. Ann Oncol. 2022;33(1):34-41. 24. Rivera MP, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020;202(7):e95-e112. 25. Behr C, et al. Eur Radiol. 2024;34(7):4448-56. 26. Berzingi S, et al. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2024;19:100719. 27. Revel MP, et al. Insights Imaging. 2023;14(1):176. 28. Amicizia D, et al. Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(14):2085. 29. Wéber A, et al. BMJ Open. 2023;13(5):e065303.