Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, claiming over 130,000 lives annually. Yet, health officials have the opportunity to significantly decrease this troubling statistic through expanded screening.
Shockingly, only about 1 in 4 cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in the early stages, largely due to the dismal screening rate. According to a recent report from the American Lung Association, less than 6 percent of eligible Americans undergo annual low-dose CT scans, with some states reporting rates as low as 1 percent.
In response, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has revised its guidelines to extend eligibility criteria for lung cancer screenings. These adjustments open the door for more individuals to receive potentially life-saving screenings.
Although smoking is a well-known risk factor for lung cancer, responsible for 80 to 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths, the recent study suggests that quitting smoking does not render an individual immune to the disease. As such, the ACS’s new guidelines aim to identify high-risk individuals for screenings based on a set of clear and inclusive criteria.
Furthermore, evidence indicates that broadening the scope of eligibility would help mitigate disparities, particularly among women and minorities. These new directives align with recommendations from other leading health organizations and have the potential to save thousands of lives annually.
Crucially, these updated guidelines hold the key to not only increasing the number of screenings but also to raising awareness about the importance of early detection in combatting lung cancer. Similar to other cancer screenings, early diagnosis remains pivotal to saving lives.
Leveraging this data, there should be a nationwide push to elevate lung cancer screenings and promote proactive health measures to detect this deadly disease at its earliest stages.
