New research shows that today’s lung cancer screening guidelines may be missing most people who will later develop the disease. Because screening is based mainly on heavy smoking history, two-thirds of future lung cancer patients do not qualify — including many who have never smoked. Lung cancer is increasingly affecting women, Asian Americans and people without strong tobacco exposure, and current rules are not keeping up.
The study also found that people who didn’t qualify for screening often survived longer after diagnosis. Their tumors tend to behave differently and are sometimes found earlier for other medical reasons. But without wider screening, many cancers are still discovered only after symptoms appear. Models suggest that expanding screening to a broader age group could catch far more cases, prevent thousands of deaths and be cost-effective compared with other common screening programs.
Experts warn that expanding screening has trade-offs, like more false alarms and extra testing. Still, they say age-based screening may help close dangerous gaps. For people who aren’t eligible under today’s rules, routine imaging for other health issues can sometimes reveal early changes. Because lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer, researchers say more inclusive, easier-to-access screening could save lives.
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