Back in 2013, in an effort to reduce the high mortality rate of lung cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released recommendations for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for current and former heavy smokers. The effort successfully reduced lung cancer deaths among participants 55-80 years of age who had reached 30 pack years, which is the number of years spent smoking times the number of packs smoked per day.
Now, the USPSTF has updated its recommendations to include more people and bridge the gap in care among high-risk groups omitted from the previous criteria. The new recommendations are:
Adults aged 50-80
20 pack-year smoking history
This screening recommendation applies to people who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. People who have not smoked for 15 years or have certain life-limiting health conditions should avoid or stop annual LDCT screening.
The Reason for the Revisions
As the nation’s number one cause of cancer death, lung cancer comprises nearly 25% of all cancer mortalities and takes roughly 140,000 lives each year. The main cause of lung cancer is heavy tobacco smoking. Screening among high-risk groups is important because, when caught while it is still small and localized, lung cancer cure rates can be as high as 80-90%.
After reviewing 223 publications and 7 randomized trials involving more than 86,000 participants, the USPSTF determined that LDCT screening produced a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality compared to no screening and standard chest x-ray. The task force also concluded that the previous guidelines created possible disparities in lung cancer discovery between genders and among different races and ethnicities. By reducing the age limit and the number of pack years needed for LDCT screening eligibility, the USPSTF hopes to nearly double the population getting annual lung cancer screenings, saving and extending more people’s lives. These new recommendations open up LDCT eligibility to an estimated 15 million more people.
“Though it was a good start, previous guidance left out a substantial number of patients at high risk of lung cancer,” says Diagnostic Radiology subspecialist Dr. John M. Cain. “Women in particular were underrepresented because they tend to smoke less than men, yet they account for nearly as many cases of lung cancer annually. The new guidance will make annual screening available to more individuals, which should continue the reduction in lung cancer deaths that began with the implementation of LDCT.”
Getting screened before symptoms such as chronic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and bloody phlegm appear is crucial, because symptoms nearly always indicate that cancer has spread outside the lung, where it is usually impossible to treat. Because people with early-stage lung cancer typically feel fine, many who are eligible for screening don’t bother to get it. It is a mistake that costs too many people their well-being and, ultimately, their lives.
Screening under the new USPSTF recommendations may be covered by insurance*, so if you are 50 or older and are or were a heavy smoker, talk to your clinician about LDCT screening. This quick, painless test takes only a few minutes – minutes that can amount to more years devoted to the people, activities and things you love.
*100% coverage eligibility may vary by insurance. Radiology Associates of Ocala will check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered at 100%.
