Key data on lung cancer presented at the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) 2023 meeting focused on eligibility for lung cancer screening, nonadherence to follow-up scans, and race-neutral interpretations of pulmonary function tests in preparation for lobectomy, as reported by Dr Lynn Tanoue of the Yale School of Medicine. Dr Tanoue discusses a study of 1 million people screened for lung cancer using low-dose CT imaging. The study found that 38% of those who did not meet the 2013 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) criteria for screening would now be eligible under the updated 2021 USPTF recommendations.
The study also showed a lack of adherence to follow-up screening, indicating that only 22% of screened persons returned after 1 year for a subsequent scan. Nonadherence was more common in Black individuals, Hispanic individuals, and individuals without insurance. Dr Tanoue highlights the importance of adherence for return screening, noting that two thirds of cancers detected in the National Lung Screening Trial were diagnosed after the initial scan.
Dr Tanoue also reviews a study examining the implications of adopting a race-neutral interpretation of pulmonary function tests for patients being considered for thoracic surgery. The study looked at data for 3,000 patients who underwent lobectomy at MD Anderson Cancer Center over 20 years and found that 85% were White individuals. Of importance, no difference was found between race-neutral or race-specific models in the association of lung function with risk for pulmonary complications.
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Lynn T. Tanoue, MD, FCCP, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Lynn T. Tanoue, MD, FCCP, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.