The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF, Task Force) has expanded the criteria for lung cancer screening.  The updated final recommendations have lowered the age at which screening starts from 55 to 50 years and have reduced the criterion regarding smoking history from 30 to 20 pack-years.

“This is great news because it means that nearly twice as many people are eligible to be screened, which we hope will allow clinicians to save more lives and help people remain healthy longer,” commented John Wong, MD, chief science officer, vice chair for clinical affairs, and chief of the Division of Clinical Decision Making at the Task Force.

The updated final recommendations were published online on March 9 in JAMA.

The Task Force recommends annual screening with low-dose CT for adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

To learn more, go to:  USPSTF Expands Criteria for Lung Cancer Screening (medscape.com

For additional information, go to:  Screening for Lung Cancer:  US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement | Cancer Screening, Prevention, Control | JAMA | JAMA Network