Lung cancer screening rates among heavy current and former smokers remain low and unchanged despite prevention guidelines, according to a new study published in JAMA Oncology last week.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey to determine if screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography increased following a recommendation from United States Preventive Services Task Force. In 2013, the task force recommended annual screening for lung cancer with for asymptomatic persons aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack or more per year smoking history within the past 15 years, according to the study.
Researchers found from 2010 to 2015, the percentage of eligible smokers who reported LDCT screening in the past 12 months remained low with a marginal increase from 3.3 percent in 2010 to 3.9 percent in 2015.
"Annual LDCT screening among heavy current and former smokers remains low and unchanged following the USPSTF recommendation despite the potential to avert thousands of lung cancer deaths each year," the study's authors concluded. "This underscores the need to educate clinicians and smokers about the benefit and risks of lung cancer screening for informed decision making."
More articles on population health:
A breakdown of the most distinctive injuries in each state
Air pollution linked to type 2 diabetes
Hospital shootings: How common are they? 8 things to know