LUNG cancer screening discussions occurred with only one in six at-risk U.S. adults in a national analysis.
Despite expanded screening eligibility and the survival benefits associated with early detection, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) remains underused. The findings identify continuing communication gaps that may prevent eligible patients from progressing toward screening.
Researchers retrospectively analyzed nationally representative data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 7, which evaluates health communication, cancer knowledge, and health care experiences among U.S. adults.
The analysis included 1,506 participants considered at risk for lung cancer. Overall, 221 participants, or 15.0%, reported that a clinician or other health professional had discussed LDCT screening with them during the previous year. A weighted estimate showed that discussions reached 15.9% in 2024, representing only a small increase over previous years.
Most participants were between 50 and 64 years of age, male, and non-Hispanic White. The mean participant age was 63 years and did not differ significantly according to whether an LDCT discussion had occurred.
Lung cancer screening discussions were more common among current smokers, retired adults, and people with a greater number of comorbidities. Non-Hispanic White participants and those with previous lung disease were also more likely to report such conversations.
Greater trust in clinicians and family members as sources of cancer information was associated with an increased likelihood of discussing screening. In the adjusted analysis, current smoking, underlying lung disease, and trust in family members for cancer information independently increased the odds of an LDCT discussion.
These findings indicate that patient-clinician communication may be influenced by both clinical risk and an individual’s wider information network. However, the low overall frequency of discussions suggests that many at-risk adults remain outside routine screening conversations.
Patient awareness, competing health priorities, limited consultation time, uncertainty about eligibility, and incomplete screening workflows may all contribute to low uptake. Accurate documentation of cigarette pack-year history is another important consideration when identifying potentially eligible patients.
The researchers concluded that more consistent and equitable communication is needed. Integrating lung cancer screening discussions into routine care could help clinicians identify eligible patients and support informed decisions about LDCT.
Reference
Viana SW et al. National analysis of factors associated with patient-clinician discussions about lung cancer screening. Am J Surg. 2026;260:117131.
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