Nearly 5 million more people have entered the group that should be tested for lung cancer, according to the updated guideline from the American Cancer Society. The expansion of the recommendation aims to include older adults who smoke or have smoked – regardless of how long ago they quit smoking.
Previously, the American Cancer Society recommended annual lung cancer screening for adults aged 55 to 74 with a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years, who currently smoke or who quit less than 15 years ago. Now, the organization has determined that it does not matter how long ago a person quit smoking.
The recommendation is for annual lung cancer exams for current or former smokers aged 50 to 80 with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years. For example, someone who smoked two packs a day for 10 years has a history of 20 pack-years, just like someone who smoked one pack a day for 20 years.
The American Cancer Society estimates that the updated recommendation will lead to 21% more lung cancer deaths being prevented compared to the current recommendations.
It is estimated that only about 10% to 15% of all eligible people in the United States have been tested for lung cancer.
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, can be detected through computed tomography.
Research conducted in the 1940s found that about half of all American adults smoked cigarettes. Rates began to decline in the 1960s, and last year, about 11% of adults – a historic low – told the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that they were smokers.
According to experts, smoking is not the only risk factor for lung cancer. Family history and exposure to asbestos can be even stronger factors than cigarette use.
Source: CNN