Lung Cancer Screening: Where Are We, and How Can We Improve?

DuyKhanh P. Ceppa, MD, Editor View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image Since the National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated a 20% decrease in lung cancer mortality in 2011, 1 Aberle D.R. Berg C.D. Black W.C. et al. National Lung Screening Trial Research TeamThe National Lung Screening Trial: overview and study design. Radiology. 2011; 258: 243-253https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.10091808 Crossref PubMed Scopus (870) Google Scholar the eligibility criteria were recently expanded in 2021. 2 Krist A.H. Davidson K.W. Mangione C.M. et al. US Preventive Services Task ForceScreening for Lung Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021; 325: 962-970https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.1117 Crossref PubMed Scopus (496) Google Scholar While this has increased the population eligible for screening, lung cancer screening rates remain significantly lower compared with other well-established cancer screening rates and remains at a low 5.8% of the eligible population. 3 American Lung Association (2022, November). State of lung cancer: Key findings. State of Lung Cancer | Key Findings | American Lung Association. Available at: https://www.lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer/key-findings. Accessed April 5, 2023. Google Scholar As we look to improve the lung cancer screening process, we herein review pertinent topics, such as a review of the data supporting screening for lung cancer, building a screening program, increasing screening rates in eligible populations, and how to better target the high-risk population.