Lung Cancer Screening: Who's Left Behind?

Lung cancer screening guidelines might be missing a lot of people who need them. Right now, rules say only certain adults can get yearly CT scans. But a new study shows that this leaves out most people with lung cancer. Only about one-third would even qualify for these life-saving scans. Take Carla Tapia, for example. She's a 38-year-old mom from Maryland. She smoked a little when she was young but quit by 18. Yet, she still got lung cancer. It wasn't caught early. By the time doctors found it, it was too late for surgery. She had to get a double-lung transplant to survive. She thinks things might have been different with earlier screening. Current rules say only adults aged 50 to 80 with a heavy smoking history can get screened. But lung cancer can happen to anyone. Even people who never smoked or smoked just a little can get it. And most of the time, it's not caught until it's too late. Doctors say it's time to change the rules. They want everyone aged 40 to 85 to get screened. This could catch more cancers early. It could also make treatment more affordable. Plus, it could help people who are often left out, like women and never-smokers. Lung CT scans are quick and easy. They don't even need dye. And they can check more than just lungs. They can also look at the heart and bones. This makes them a great way to keep an eye on overall health. COVID-19 has made things worse. It's leaving some people with lung damage. This damage can get worse with each new infection. Early screening can help catch these problems before they get too bad. Doctors say there are other groups who should think about getting screened. This includes people with ongoing lung issues from COVID-19. It also includes those exposed to smoke, pollution, or radon. And it includes people with a family history of lung disease. Even people who vape or use marijuana should consider it. The bottom line is that current screening rules aren't working. They're leaving too many people at risk. It's time to make screening available to everyone who needs it.