Lung cancer screening is a crucial tool in detecting lung cancer early and potentially saving lives. However, despite recommendations for screening in the U.S. for individuals with a history of smoking, only 18% of eligible individuals actually get screened. A new study published in JAMA by researchers at Mass General Brigham sheds light on why this may be the case.
The researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset, focusing on 28,483 individuals aged 50 to 79 who were eligible for lung cancer screening. Surprisingly, they found that while only 17-18% of eligible individuals received lung cancer screening, a much higher percentage, 65%, received breast and colorectal cancer screenings.
Lead author Alexandra Potter, from the Division of Thoracic Surgery at MGH, stated, “Our findings show that many individuals eligible for lung cancer screenings are open to receiving preventive care services. The data suggest that these individuals aren’t necessarily resistant to receiving cancer screenings—other factors are likely driving low rates of lung cancer screening.”
The complexity of eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening, which includes age and multiple smoking history requirements, may be a significant barrier. In contrast, breast and colorectal cancer screening eligibility criteria are solely based on age, making them more straightforward. Additionally, challenges in accessing lung cancer screening clinics may also contribute to low screening rates.
The researchers concluded that many high-risk individuals eligible for lung cancer screening are already engaged in preventive care, indicating a willingness to undergo screenings. This highlights the need for interventions to increase awareness of lung cancer screening and address barriers preventing eligible individuals from getting screened.
Senior author Dr. Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang emphasized the importance of improving lung cancer screening awareness and addressing existing barriers. As a community, efforts must be made to facilitate access to screenings for high-risk individuals.
The study’s authors include Alexandra L. Potter, Soneesh Kothagundla, Chinmay Haridas, Allison E.B. Chang, and Lecia V. Sequist from Mass General Brigham.
For more information, the study titled “Preventive Health Care Use Among Adults Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening in the US” can be found in JAMA (2025) with DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.2157.
This research underscores the importance of increasing awareness of lung cancer screening and addressing barriers to ensure that high-risk individuals receive the necessary preventive care. It is crucial to work together as a community to improve access to screenings and ultimately reduce the burden of lung cancer.
