Health and Me

Ishita Roy

How 26,000 Lives Could Be Saved Each Year With Just One Change to Lung Cancer Screening

If screening is made available and accessible to those between 40 to 85 years of age, it could detect 94% of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/lung-cancer">lung cancer</a></span>s. Even if 30% of people get screened, it could prevent 26,000 deaths in the US. Despite that, the screening for the deadliest <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> in the US still misses most cases, reveals a JAMA Network study. As per the American Cancer Society, 226,650 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer in 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes 18,893 new cases in 2022. As for deaths, the American Cancer Society estimates around 124,730 lung cancer deaths in 2025. 

The Washington Post reports that when a 42-year-old mother of three, Jessie Creel first developed a stubborn cough in May last year, she did what most people would do. She went to her doctor, took the prescribed antibiotics and hoped to bounce back quickly. Instead, her cough worsened. She began losing weight, struggled to sleep and even coughed up blood during a camping trip. Nothing about it felt normal anymore.

Six months later, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Creel ran, swam, avoided alcohol and had never smoked, yet her cancer had spread to her bones, brain and lymph nodes by the time it was detected. Her story is becoming more familiar among cancer specialists, who now say lung cancer is no longer a disease that fits the old stereotype of the heavy smoker. The JAMA Network study is pushing experts to ask whether current <span>lung cancer screening</span> guidelines are excluding thousands of people who might benefit from early detection.

<h2>The Current Screening Rules That Limits People From Getting Themselves Screened</h2>

Right now, lung cancer screening in the United States is recommended only for people between 50 and 80 who have a heavy smoking history and who either still smoke or quit within the last 15 years. However, the researchers of the new study examined around 1000 lung cancer patients treated at Northwestern Medicine. Only one third would have qualified for screening under today’s guidelines. Women, people of color and those who had never smoked made up a large portion of the patients who fell outside the criteria.

According to the study’s authors, this means most lung cancer cases in the country are detected only after symptoms appear, which often happens when the cancer has already advanced.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/lung-cancer-no-longer-a-smokers-disease-its-a-breather-disease-story-of-a-31-year-old-non-smoker-ncr-woman-who-had-stage-2-lung-cancer-article-153124821" data-type="tilCustomLink">Lung Cancer No Longer A Smoker's Disease, It's A Breather's Disease: Story Of A 31-year-old Non-smoker NCR Woman Who Had Stage 2 Lung Cancer</a>

Experts suggest a broader, age based approach similar to breast or colon cancer screening. If everyone between 40 and 85 could get screened, researchers estimate that nearly 94 percent of lung cancer cases could be identified, potentially preventing more than 26,000 deaths each year even if only a fraction of eligible people participated.

For those who qualify, lung cancer screening is done using a <span>low dose CT scan</span> once a year. These scans use far less radiation than a regular CT and have been shown to catch cancers early.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines decide who gets insurance covered screening. The American Cancer Society has its own recommendation, which is slightly more flexible but does not guarantee full coverage.

Doctors say that when lung cancer is caught early through screening, cure rates can exceed 90 percent. But many people who do not meet today’s criteria never get that chance and are often diagnosed only once symptoms set in. By that stage, treatment is more complex and outcomes are less optimistic.

<h2>Why Are Experts Asking For A Change In System? </h2>

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths. It kills more people than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Yet smoking rates have dropped significantly over the years, which means screening based on smoking history alone no longer reflects who is actually getting sick.

The new study suggests that continuing with the current guidelines would mean detecting only one third of new cases. Experts call the findings alarming and believe shifting to an age based model could save more lives than the number of people who die each year from brain cancer.

Broader screening may also reduce long term healthcare costs. Detecting cancer at Stage 1 rather than Stage 4 could save nearly 25 billion dollars annually in treatment expenses, far outweighing the cost of offering more people access to scans.

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lung cancer

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nonsmoker lung cancer

early detection lung cancer

jama network open study

lung cancer guidelines

low dose ct scan

health and wellness

cancer

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If screening is made available and accessible to those between 40 to 85 years of age, it could detect 94% of lung cancers. Even if 30% of people get screened, it could prevent 26,000 deaths in the US. Despite that, the screening for the deadliest cancer in the US still misses most cases, reveals a JAMA Network study. As per the American Cancer Society, 226,650 new cases of lung and bronchus cancer in 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes 18,893 new cases in 2022. As for deaths, the American Cancer Society estimates around 124,730 lung cancer deaths in 2025. The Washington Post reports that when a 42-year-old mother of three, Jessie Creel first developed a stubborn cough in May last year, she did what most people would do. She went to her doctor, took the prescribed antibiotics and hoped to bounce back quickly. Instead, her cough worsened. She began losing weight, struggled to sleep and even coughed up blood during a camping trip. Nothing about it felt normal anymore.Six months later, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Creel ran, swam, avoided alcohol and had never smoked, yet her cancer had spread to her bones, brain and lymph nodes by the time it was detected. Her story is becoming more familiar among cancer specialists, who now say lung cancer is no longer a disease that fits the old stereotype of the heavy smoker. The JAMA Network study is pushing experts to ask whether current lung cancer screening guidelines are excluding thousands of people who might benefit from early detection.The Current Screening Rules That Limits People From Getting Themselves ScreenedRight now, lung cancer screening in the United States is recommended only for people between 50 and 80 who have a heavy smoking history and who either still smoke or quit within the last 15 years. However, the researchers of the new study examined around 1000 lung cancer patients treated at Northwestern Medicine. Only one third would have qualified for screening under today’s guidelines. Women, people of color and those who had never smoked made up a large portion of the patients who fell outside the criteria.According to the study’s authors, this means most lung cancer cases in the country are detected only after symptoms appear, which often happens when the cancer has already advanced.Also Read: Lung Cancer No Longer A Smoker's Disease, It's A Breather's Disease: Story Of A 31-year-old Non-smoker NCR Woman Who Had Stage 2 Lung CancerExperts suggest a broader, age based approach similar to breast or colon cancer screening. If everyone between 40 and 85 could get screened, researchers estimate that nearly 94 percent of lung cancer cases could be identified, potentially preventing more than 26,000 deaths each year even if only a fraction of eligible people participated.How Is Lung Cancer Detected?For those who qualify, lung cancer screening is done using a low dose CT scan once a year. These scans use far less radiation than a regular CT and have been shown to catch cancers early.The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines decide who gets insurance covered screening. The American Cancer Society has its own recommendation, which is slightly more flexible but does not guarantee full coverage.Doctors say that when lung cancer is caught early through screening, cure rates can exceed 90 percent. But many people who do not meet today’s criteria never get that chance and are often diagnosed only once symptoms set in. By that stage, treatment is more complex and outcomes are less optimistic.Why Are Experts Asking For A Change In System? Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths. It kills more people than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Yet smoking rates have dropped significantly over the years, which means screening based on smoking history alone no longer reflects who is actually getting sick.The new study suggests that continuing with the current guidelines would mean detecting only one third of new cases. Experts call the findings alarming and believe shifting to an age based model could save more lives than the number of people who die each year from brain cancer.Broader screening may also reduce long term healthcare costs. Detecting cancer at Stage 1 rather than Stage 4 could save nearly 25 billion dollars annually in treatment expenses, far outweighing the cost of offering more people access to scans.