"New evidence provides proof that there are real benefits to starting to screen at a younger age and among people with lighter smoking history," USPSTF member Michael J. Barry, MD, medical director of the Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital, said in a press release. He further added, "We can not only save more lives, we can also help people stay healthy longer."

To whom?

The recent updates were addressed to adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

What's new?

The USPSTF task force has revised the recommended ages and pack-years for lung cancer screening. It expanded the age range to 50 to 80 years (previously 55 to 80 years) and reduced the pack-year history to 20 pack-years of smoking (previously 30 pack-years).

Evidence certainty:

The USPSTF considers this a "B" recommendation, concluding "with moderate certainty that annual screening for lung cancer with [low-dose CT] is of moderate net benefit in persons at high risk for lung cancer based on age, total cumulative exposure to tobacco smoke and years since quitting smoking," according to the recommendation statement.

The recommendations are:

♦ The USPSTF task force recommends, " annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years."

♦ They also recommend "Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery."

For further information:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777244