November 1, 2022
COLUMBUS, Ohio –Today experts with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) join more than 50 cancer centers across the United States in issuing a call to action to urge individuals at high-risk for lung cancer to obtain timely lung cancer screenings; for insurers to increase coverage potentially life-saving cancer screening tools; and for providers to expand access to these screening tests nationwide.
November is National Lung Cancer Screening Month, and despite some treatment advances lung cancer remains the No. 1 cause of cancer-related death in the United States, accounting for almost 25% of all cancer deaths – more than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screening for people ages 50-80 who have smoked for at least 20 years. However, only 5.7% of eligible Americans were screened for lung cancer before the COVID-19 pandemic — compared to screening rates for breast, cervical and colon cancers that hover between 60% and 80%. Data suggests that screening rates have decreased for all cancers due to the pandemic.
“For people who are at increased risk for lung cancer due to smoking history, waiting until they experience symptoms – like trouble breathing, a chronic cough or chest pain – will be too late. This is why lung cancer is so deadly. These are often signs that the disease is impacting the airways and has advanced to stage 4, which has fewer treatment options,” said Dr. Michael Wert, a pulmonologist and director of the lung cancer screening program at the OSUCCC – James. “Lung cancer screening is a critical tool for detecting these cancers in their earliest stages when they are treatable, and I implore anyone who is at increased risk to ask their doctor about this simple screening tool.”
Experts stress that if all people who should be screened for lung cancer received screening, tens of thousands of lives and tens of millions of dollars could be saved.
“Early detection is key to reducing lung cancer deaths. We estimate as many as 60,000 lives could be saved each year if the 14.5 million Americans who are eligible received annual lung cancer screening. This would allow us to catch the disease early when curative treatment options are available,” said Dr. Jhanelle E. Gray, statement co-author and department chair and program leader of Thoracic Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.
“We have identified the barriers to lung cancer screening. Now, we need everyone to come together to overcome them. We need a national education and awareness campaign — not just to reach individuals who are eligible for screenings, but also the providers and health educators who should be recommending them,” said Mary Reid, statement co-author and chief of Cancer Screening and Survivorship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY.
Two major barriers to screening are coverage and access. While low-dose CT screening for lung cancer is covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans, the pre-authorization process can delay the procedure by several days and place an unnecessary burden on community providers. Additionally, a recent study by the American Cancer Society found that at least 5% of those eligible for low-dose CT scans live more than 40 miles from a screening facility — and that percentage jumps to nearly 25% for screening-eligible individuals in rural areas.
“Together, we have an unprecedented opportunity to drive down cancer deaths by taking advantage of a tool that is effective, noninvasive and inexpensive,” said Wert.
Individuals who have questions about whether they should be screened for lung cancer can take the American Lung Association’s screening eligibility quiz. A full list of U.S. lung cancer screening programs by state is available through the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer.
Lung cancer screening appointments
Lung cancer screening is still recommended for individuals at higher risk for lung cancer. In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated its lung cancer screening recommendations to include annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT scans in adults between the ages of 50 to 80 years who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. For more information about lung cancer screening at the OSUCCC – James, visit cancer.osu.edu/lungcancerscreening or call 1-800-293-5066.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Harper | OSUCCC – James Media Relations
Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu | 614-685-5420