Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the United States. Every year, about 125,000 people die from lung cancer. This number is higher than the deaths from breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer combined. Scientists have found that more lives could be saved if more people got screened for lung cancer.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that lung cancer screenings could save an estimated 62,000 lives over five years. This benefit is four times higher than what current screenings save today. The test used is a simple CT scan that offers more detailed images than an X-ray, making it easier to detect lung cancer early.
However, despite being common and deadly, only about one in five eligible people receive lung cancer screenings in the U.S. Experts say increasing screening rates to 100% could significantly reduce deaths and improve survival rates. Early detection through low-dose CT scans is key because it finds cancer in its early stages when treatment is more effective.
Lung cancer screening recommendations generally target adults aged 55 to 74 who have a heavy smoking history or quit within the past 15 years. New research from the UK and other countries confirms that these screenings improve early cancer detection rates by up to 20%. With newer technologies and public health efforts, lung cancer deaths could be greatly reduced in coming years.
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