Skip to main content

Lung Cancer Screening Rates Increased After 2021 Update to USPSTF Guidelines

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 31, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, March 31, 2025 -- Increased lung cancer screening uptake was seen after the 2021 update to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, which expanded eligibility criteria to include adults aged 50 to 80 years with a smoking history of 20 or more pack-years, according to a research letter published online March 20 in JAMA Oncology.

LaShae D. Rolle, M.P.H., from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, and colleagues used 2019 to 2023 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine the association of the 2021 updated USPSTF guidelines on lung cancer with screening uptake.

The researchers found that 15.4 percent of the 17,101 participants underwent screening before the guideline change compared with 47.1 percent after. There was a significant increase in the odds of screening after guideline changes (adjusted odds ratio, 4.66). Associations were seen for lack of health insurance coverage, being a rural resident, and not having a clinician with decreased odds of screening (adjusted odds ratios, 0.28, 0.73, and 0.71, respectively). Before and after the update, there were no significant interaction effects observed for sex, race and ethnicity, income, and education levels. Lower screening uptake was seen after guideline changes for rural residents (interaction β, −0.48).

"These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to address structural barriers in rural and underserved populations," the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Persistent, New Mucus Plugs Associated With Faster Decline in FEV1 in COPD

WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2025 -- For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), persistent and newly formed mucus plugs are associated with a faster decrease in forced...

Combinations of Chronic, Physical Illnesses Up the Risk of Subsequent Depression

WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2025 -- Certain groups of physical multimorbidity may be associated with a higher risk of subsequent depression, according to a study published online May 13...

Adding Team Therapist Reduces Burnout for Critical Care Nurses

TUESDAY, May 20, 2025 -- For nurses in critical care areas, adding a team therapist can reduce burnout and improve resilience, according to a study presented at the American...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.