Why are lung cancer screening rates so poor?

Many medical organisations have been recommending lung cancer screening for decades for those at high risk of developing the disease.

But in 2022, less than 6% of people in the US eligible for screening actually got screened. Compared with other common cancer screenings, lung cancer screening rates fall terribly behind. For comparison, the screening rate in 2021 for colon cancer was 72%, and the rate for breast cancer was 76%. Why are lung cancer screening rates so poor?

I am a pulmonologist who specialises in screening and diagnosing lung cancer. In my research to improve early detection of lung cancer, I’ve found that numerous complex barriers hinder the widespread adoption of lung cancer screening.

Lung cancer screening basics

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. But early detection can significantly improve outcomes.

Survival rates for early stage lung cancer are nearly seven times higher than lung cancer that has spread in the body. Between 2015 and 2019, survival rates for lung cancer have improved by 22%, in part because of an increase in earlier diagnosis.

Most patients with early-stage lung cancer, however, have no symptoms and aren’t diagnosed until they reach more advanced stages that are harder to treat, underlining the need for effective lung cancer screening.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends lung cancer screening for people 50-80 years old, people who currently smoke or previously...

Read more