According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2024 report, nearly 13,170 people will die from lung cancer in Missouri this year.
One way to lower this number is by increasing the number of lung cancer screenings. For some adults, annual lung cancer screening could lead to an early diagnosis and life-saving treatment. The decision can be difficult, however, as lung cancer screening carries potential harms as well as benefits.
To help navigate these complexities, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a new suite of tools to assist clinicians and patients in making informed decisions about lung cancer screening.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s mission is to produce evidence to make healthcare safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. They work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other partners to ensure that the evidence is understood and used.
AHRQ’s tools target adults aged 55 to 80 years who have smoked the equivalent of one pack a day for at least 30 years and who continue to smoke or who have quit less than 15 years ago. These decision aids are based on U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, developed through a systematic review and consideration of current evidence for lung cancer screening.
The new tools help simplify conversations and decision-making among patients and primary care clinicians about low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), the only endorsed screening strategy for lung cancer. Patients can use these tools to learn the facts about lung cancer, compare the benefits and harms of screening with LDCT, evaluate how their values relate to screening, and learn about insurance coverage.
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If you or a loved one is facing a lung cancer diagnosis, contact St. Louis CyberKnife to learn more about our advanced, non-invasive treatment options and how we can support you on your journey to better health.