Fewer than 1 in 5 eligible Americans are up to date on lung cancer screening, with rates particularly low in Southern states and among racial minorities, according to a new nationwide study.
Researchers found only 18.1% of eligible individuals reported being current with lung cancer screening in 2022. Rates varied widely by state, ranging from 9.7% to 31%, with Southern states that have high lung cancer mortality showing lower screening rates.
The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, revealed significant disparities in screening rates. While 78.4% of respondents were white, only 8.1% were Black and 6.7% were Hispanic, suggesting underrepresentation of racial minorities in screening programs.
“The largest disparities in up-to-date lung cancer screening were according to healthcare access factors and across U.S. states,” said lead author Dr. Priti Bandi of the American Cancer Society. Healthcare access played a major role, with only 3.7% of uninsured individuals reporting up-to-date screening. States with Medicaid expansion had 2.68 times higher screening rates.
A separate study found patient navigation could dramatically boost screening rates among vulnerable populations. At a homeless healthcare program, 43.4% of patients with navigator assistance completed screening versus 9.2% receiving usual care alone.
Experts say improving healthcare access for low-income individuals and increasing screening capacity, especially in underserved areas, may help increase uptake and reduce racial and geographic disparities in lung cancer screening.
See “Lung Cancer Screening Rates Remain Low in the U.S., Especially in the South” (June 10, 2024)
