Despite the recent recommendation for annual lung cancer screening of high-risk patients from the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the disease has not generated the same broad public awareness as breast cancer and colon cancer, despite claiming more lives each year than those two diseases combined.
That is the opinion of Corey J. Langer, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who recently participated in a panel discussion arranged by The American Journal of Managed Care.
In July 2013, lung cancer screening was recommended for the roster of tests required for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. In December 2013, the USPSTF finalized the recommendation, requiring insurers to pay for annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) screenings for adults 55 to 80 who smoked at least a pack a day for 30 years (known as “pack years”). Despite generating widespread media attention, Langer said, “It’s amazing how few patients or family members are aware of this. The impact and the general notice of the NLST has not penetrated.”
The discussion was hosted by AJMC co-editor Michael Chernew, PhD, and also included Dr. David J. Sugarbaker, chief of thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and Dr. Steven Peskin, senior medical director, Horizon Healthcare Innovations, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey. The conversation also touched on treatment strategies for non-small cell lung cancer, the need for precision in pathology to identify the characteristics and stage of the disease, and the use of molecular-level tests and agents.
The full discussion is available at the AJMC website.
