Screening/Early Detection

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2021 updated its recommendations for lung cancer screening, broadening access for millions. The recommendation is:

• For adults ages 50-80, who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or who have quit within the past 15 years, screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) should be done. In Nevada, about 1% of those at high risk for lung cancer were screened, placing Nevada 49th among all states for lung cancer screening.
• Some people do not get screened for lung cancer, or treatment after diagnosis because of stigma associated with lung cancer. Reducing stigma is important to improving early detection and lowering mortality for lung cancer.

Prevention

• Tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer – with smoking and secondhand smoke exposure both shown to cause the disease. Those who smoke should quit, and those who can avoid secondhand smoke exposure should.
• Radon, a colorless and odorless gas that can seep into homes and buildings through the ground. Is the second leading cause of lung cancer. People can test homes, schools, offices and other buildings for radon and install devices to lower elevated radon levels.
• Air pollution, such as long-term exposure to outdoor particle pollution, can also cause lung cancer.

Quick Facts

• The American Cancer Society estimates 2,030 Nevadans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022 and 1,170 will die of the disease.
• Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer in Nevada by far, taking the lives of more people each year than colorectal and breast cancer combined.
• Many disparities exist with lung cancer. According to the American Association of Cancer:
  • Lung cancer is more common in rural communities, mostly due to higher rates of tobacco use and lower rates of low dose CT screening. Rural patients also have a 34% higher death rate from lung cancer than urban patients.
  • Those living in persistent poverty have a 16.5% higher mortality rate from lung cancer. Communities with persistent poverty are more likely to have higher cancer risk factors, including cigarette smoking, less access to health care, less formal education, higher unemployment and larger populations of racial/ethnic minorities.

Resource Links

• Lung Cancer Screening
• Nevada Tobacco Quitline
• Nevada Radon Education Program
• American Lung Association’s 2021 State of Lung Cancer in Nevada

Partner Tools and Resources

For Patients and/or Providers

• GO2 Foundation For Lung Cancer
• LuCa National Training Network
• The White Ribbon Project
• Saved by the Scan

On YouTube

• Dr. Reka Danko talks about the Nevada Tobacco Quitline
• Because We Matter from SNHD (men) and (women)
• Get Screened from Saved by the Scan
• Meet the Scan from Saved by the Scan
• Lung Cancer Screening with CT, from Mayo Clinic
• Low Dose CT Screening
• Lung Cancer Facts and Screening for Veterans
• Lung Cancer Patient Stories
• Emily, Stage 4 Lung Cancer Survivor Story
• Project ECHO: Impacts of Tobacco Cessation on Cancer Survivorship
• Brief Intervention & E-Referral Training for Health Care Providers (tobacco cessation) from SNHD
• Nevada Adult Tobacco Survey 2022 Highlights from SNHD
• Project ECHO: How to Get Results with Tobacco Cessation
• Tips from Former Smokers, full playlist
• MMWR Lung Cancer Screening Abstract