U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Lung Cancer: Screening

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Last Reviewed: March 2021

Workgroups: Cancer Workgroup, Tobacco Use Workgroup

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography in people who meet all of these criteria: 

  • Are ages 50 to 80 years 
  • Have a 20 pack-year smoking history
  • Currently smoke cigarettes or quit within the past 15 years

USPSTF also recommends ending screening for people in this group who develop a health problem that seriously limits their life expectancy or who aren’t willing to have lung surgery if needed. 

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Objectives related to this resource (3)

Reduce the lung cancer death rate — C‑02
Improving
Increase the proportion of adults who get screened for lung cancer — C‑03
Baseline only
Increase the proportion of adults who get recommended evidence-based preventive health care — AHS‑08
Getting worse

Suggested Citation

1.

U.S. Preventive Task Force. (2021). Lung cancer: screening. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening