Lung cancer develops silently, without symptoms — and when symptoms appear, they are often attributed to other conditions. Frequently not diagnosed until an advanced stage, up to 25 percent of lung cancer cases are asymptomatic and discovered accidentally during diagnostics for other health concerns.

Lung cancer screening is the most reliable way to find lung cancer early in at-risk patients, yet only one in five eligible adults receive recommended screenings. Lung cancer screening can also be helpful in flagging elevated risk for other chronic conditions. A low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan can detect calcium deposits linked to heart disease, early signs of osteoporosis, and structural changes in the lungs and chest, providing a more comprehensive view of chest health.

Beyond the smoker’s stereotype: understanding who is affected  

The population affected by lung cancer is changing, making lung cancer screening for eligible patients even more important.

Once considered a disease of older adults and smokers, lung cancer is increasingly showing up in nonsmokers, younger patients, and women. Lung cancer diagnosed before age 50 is known as young-onset lung cancer.

Many biological and environmental factors are cited for the growing trend of lung cancer in younger patients and nonsmokers, such as environmental conditions, genetic mutations, COVID-19, and lifestyle factors such as vaping.^1,2

In fact, the 2026 American Lung Association’s State of the Air report found that 152 million Americans (44 percent of the population), including more than 33 million youth under age 18 (46 percent), live in areas with failing grades for air quality.³

Additionally, patients being treated for other cancers are especially vulnerable and at higher risk for lung cancer as cells can travel to and from other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Other cancers that can spread to the lungs include breast, colorectal, kidney, and melanoma.

Five facts that matter

Recent studies reveal some sobering statistics:

• A 2024 National Health Interview Survey of adults over 50 with a lung cancer diagnosis within the past 10 years revealed that half were eligible for screening and only one-third underwent screening before diagnosis, revealing gaps in both eligibility and utilization.⁴

• Lung cancer in nonsmokers (defined as people who have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime) accounts for 15 to 25 percent of all lung cancer cases worldwide.⁵

• Lung cancer kills 50 percent more women than breast cancer every year in the United States and takes more women’s lives than breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers combined.⁶

• Only 5 percent of patients eligible for lung cancer screening follow through with recommended screening, whereas more than 70 percent of eligible patients adhere to screening recommendations for breast, colon, and prostate cancer.⁷

• Because current U.S. screening guidelines only focus on adults aged 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history, around 65 percent of individuals diagnosed today do not qualify for routine early-detection screenings.⁸

Awareness and education

The American Lung Association’s 2026 Lung Health Barometer report reveals that awareness about lung cancer screening is still very low:⁹

• Only 28 percent of surveyed adults knew that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
• Just 33 percent were aware that screening is available for adults who meet eligibility criteria.
• Approximately 76 percent had not spoken with their doctor about their risk for lung cancer.

Furthermore, a peer-reviewed study found that only 15 percent of adults discussed lung cancer screening with a provider in the past year.¹⁰

Recent research also suggests that women are less likely than men to discuss lung screening with their provider, but mammography appointments can be a “teachable moment” to improve screening rates among eligible women.¹¹ A study of eligible women found that offering a dual-screening option may help boost lung cancer screening rates and reduce lung cancer mortality. In that study, 87 percent of patients expressed interest in combined breast and lung screening, and 84 percent reported being likely or very likely to undergo dual screening again.¹²

Moving the needle in patient awareness and screening can be as simple as a conversation. Providers play an important role in initiating discussions and educating patients about the importance of screening.

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.

Oncological research groups are advocating for broadening the net to capture an even wider age group beginning at age 40 and addressing the large population of younger patients, women, and nonsmokers missed by current criteria. A recent study at Northwestern Medicine estimated that expanding screening to these parameters, emulating the universal age-based screening for breast and colon cancer, could catch 94 percent of lung cancers and prevent more than 26,000 additional deaths each year.¹³

Coverage

Cigna Healthcare^® typically covers routine screenings at no cost when performed at in-network locations, which your patients can find by logging in to myCigna.com or the myCigna^® App.

You can learn more about our coverage of preventive care services in our Preventive Care Services (A004) administrative policy.

1. Marisa Bittoni, et al. “Vaping, smoking and risk of early onset lung cancer.” Frontiers in Oncology. 06 January 2026. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12815809/.
2. Mara Antonoff, et al. “Understanding Lung Cancer in Younger People.” JAMA Oncology. 25 September 2025. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2839157.
3. American Lung Association. “State of the Air.” American Lung Association. 22 April 2026. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/getmedia/32f0646d-c5de-4501-b0ac-07cd63c974d4/State-of-the-Air-2026-Report.pdf.
4. Izabella Zanazanian, et al. “Lung cancer screening eligibility and completion among adults diagnosed with lung cancer: retrospective analysis of 2024 National Health Interview Survey.” Cancer Causes & Control. 19 August 2026. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13490233/.
5. Cian Murphy, et al. “Lung cancer in Nonsmoking Individuals.” Journal of the American Medical Association. 20 October 2025. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2840343.
6. Lung Cancer Research Foundation. “Facts about women & lung cancer.” Lung Cancer Research Foundation. 2026. Retrieved from https://www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/women-2026.pdf.
7. Alexandra Potter, et al. “Preventive Health Care Use Among Adults Eligible for Lung Cancer Screening in the US.” Journal of the American Medical Association. 02 April 2025. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2832192.
8. Alexandra Potter, et al. “Eligibility for Lung Cancer Screening Under the 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Between Patients Diagnosed With Early vs Late-Stage Lung Cancer: Analysis of 3 Cohort Studies.” CHEST. August 2026. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012369226003806.
9. American Lung Association. “New National Survey Shows Only 33% of People Know About Lifesaving Lung Cancer Screening.” Press release. 19 July 2026. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/lung-health-barometer-2026.
10. Sofia Viana, et al. “National analysis of factors associated with patient-clinician discussions about lung cancer screening.” The American Journal of Surgery. October 2026. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961026003168.
11. Kim Lori Sandler, et al. “Successful Improvement in Lung Screening Enrollment for Women Undergoing Breast Screening—The CALM Study (Coordinate a Lung Screening With Mammography).” Journal of the American College of Radiology. December 2025. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1546144025004570.
12. Tiffany Yue, et al. “Combined Breast and Lung Cancer Screening Among Dual-Eligible Women: A Descriptive Study.” Journal of Surgical Research. March 2025. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022480424002841.