Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. In 2020, approximately 230,000 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 136,000 patients died of lung cancer.
Approximately 80 % of patients with lung cancer present with disease spread to lymph nodes or other organs; only 17% of patients present with localized disease. The five-year survival of patients presenting with localized disease is approximately 60%, compared with 32% for those with lymph node disease and 6% for metastatic disease. Therefore early detection of lung cancer can increase the chances for survival.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated lung cancer screening recommendations. The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with an annual low-dose CT scan in adults aged 50-80 who have 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit smoking within the past 15 years. Screening should be stopped once a person has not smoked for 15 years or has health problems that limit life expectancy or the ability to have lung surgery.
Analysis of multiple studies has shown that lung cancer screening saves lives. Risks of lung cancer screening include possible false-positive results that may lead to excessive or unnecessary testing.
The 2021 update to screening recommendations is likely to increase the number of individuals eligible for screening and further decrease deaths from lung cancer. The benefits of screening generally outweigh the risks from screening. Unfortunately the update of lung cancer screening has been low in general. These updated recommendations will hopefully lead to increased awareness and acceptance of lung cancer screening.
Source: JAMA, March 9, 2021
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