Lung cancer screening
Summary of the 2021 recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
This is an educational summary written for a portfolio project. Recommendations change; always confirm with the official source.
Who it applies to
Adults aged 50 to 80 who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and who either currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year is one pack of cigarettes a day for one year.
Recommendation
Annual screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) (grade B). The 2021 update lowered the starting age from 55 to 50 and the threshold from 30 to 20 pack-years.
When to stop
Stop screening once a person has not smoked for 15 years, or if they develop a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery.
Notes
Screening should be combined with counseling and support to quit smoking for anyone who still smokes.