Lung cancer screening adherence rates decline after initial screening

A new study shows that many people do not continue with lung cancer screenings after their initial test. According to research published in JAMA Network Open, following the first screening, fewer patients return for follow-up tests. The study, led by Dr. Roger Y. Kim from the University of Pennsylvania, looked at adults aged 55 to 75 who had smoked. Researchers tracked 10,170 participants who had their first lung cancer screening from 2015 to 2018. They found that only 61.2% of patients returned for the second screening, and this dropped to 50.5% for the third. The study also revealed that patients who adhered to screenings had a higher chance of being diagnosed with lung cancer. During the follow-up period, 2.7% of participants were diagnosed with lung cancer, with higher rates among those who continued screening. The findings suggest that regular lung cancer screening is crucial for early detection. The authors recommend improving adherence to screening programs to help lower lung cancer deaths.