Lung cancer kills more Americans than any other cancer, yet a staggering 90 percent of eligible individuals aren’t getting screened.¹ As a health care provider, your recommendation is key in encouraging patients to undergo lung cancer screening, making your voice crucial in this life-saving dialogue.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages providers to:

• Identify eligible patients based on age and smoking history.
• Explain the benefits and risks associated with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening.
• Use shared decision-making tools to empower informed patient choices.
• Pair screening discussions with tobacco cessation support.²

Screening guidelines

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual LDCT scans for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should stop once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a condition that limits life expectancy or the ability to undergo lung surgery.³

Starting the conversation

Many patients eligible for lung cancer screening may not think to bring it up themselves. Your guidance can make all the difference. Here are a few conversation starters to consider:

• Normalize the discussion: “We routinely screen for lung cancer in people with your smoking history. It’s a simple scan that can catch cancer early.”
• Engage in shared decision-making: “Let’s talk about the benefits and risks so you can decide what’s right for you.”
• Address stigma: “I understand smoking can be a sensitive topic to discuss, but my focus is on your well-being and making sure you get the care you need.”
• Offer cessation support: “If you’re thinking about quitting, I can connect you with resources that help.” ⁴

The American College of Chest Physicians offers a Shared Decision-Making in Lung Cancer Screening eLearning module⁵ that include strategies for shared decision-making, addressing patient concerns, and integrating tobacco cessation into screening conversations.

Balancing benefits and risks

Annual LDCT scans can significantly enhance early detection of lung cancer in high-risk individuals ‒ potentially reducing mortality by up to 20 percent.

However, screening is not without risks. Providers should discuss:

• False positives: These may lead to unnecessary follow-up tests or procedures.
• Radiation exposure: Although minimal, this adds to cumulative lifetime exposure.
• Overdiagnosis: This occurs when cancers that are unlikely to cause harm are detected and treated.
• Incidental findings: These may create anxiety or prompt further testing unrelated to lung cancer.

Engaging in shareddecision-making can help patients weigh these factors based on their values and preferences.³

Cigna Healthcare coverage

Routine screenings are typically covered at no cost when administered at in-network locations, which your patients can find by logging in to myCigna.com.

You can learn more about our coverage policies related to preventive care services in the Preventive Care Services Coverage Policy (A004).

Learn more about the latest news on additional preventive cancer screenings and their value in early detection and treatment.

1 Lung Cancer Screening in Primary Care: More Pragmatic Research Is Needed.

2 Lung Cancer Information for Health Care Providers.

3 Recommendation: Lung Cancer: Screening.

4 Goal 1: Improve and Align Cancer Screening Communication.

5 Free with a subscription to the CHEST e-learning library; nonsubscribers pay a fee.