The landscape of lung cancer screening globally: a comparison of established programs and estimates of eligibility to participate
Comparing lung cancer screening programs worldwide provides insight into the most utilised screening approaches and variations in program eligibility. This study compared the eligibility criteria and parameters for lung cancer screening programs internationally and modelled the reach of each program. Eleven countries with implemented, organised, national or regional lung cancer screening programs were identified; eight (73%) utilised pack-years to measure smoking intensity, with four countries adopting 30-pack-years as a requirement. Three programs (27%) utilised risk prediction models to determine eligibility. Proportions of eligible people who currently smoke range from 10.7% to 27.8%, with the fewest in the Republic of Korea (10.7%) and most in the United States (27.8%). Globally, lung cancer screening eligibility criteria and program parameters vary substantially. There was limited consideration for engaging key population groups. Ensuring programs incorporate relevant local strategies to maximise participation across at-risk groups is essential, especially for those underrepresented in screening programs.
Authors
- Andrew Hyland
- VICTORIA M. WHITE (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6619-8484)
- Patricia M. Livingston (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6616-3839)
- Anna Ugalde (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2473-8435)
- Lan Gao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9734-1140)
- CORAL E. GARTNER (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6651-8035)
- Geoffrey T. Fong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9098-6472)
- Hannah Jongebloed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6215-1849)
- Vivienne Milch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8834-0349)
- Hua‐Hie Yong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8167-6173)
- Hong Gwan Seo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9964-2449)
- Yeol Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1142-1559)
- Katherine A. East
- Krzysztof Przewozniak
Institutions
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School (GB)
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (CA)
- University of Southern California (US)
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (US)
- Deakin University (AU)
- University of Waterloo (CA)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Flinders University (AU)
- King's College London (GB)
- Jeonbuk State Institute (KR)
- National Cancer Center (KR)
- Uniwersytet Kaliski im. Prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego (PL)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
- Published
- 2026-04-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2026.101862
- Primary Topic
- Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- World Health Organization
- Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute
- Victorian Cancer Agency
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
- Cancer Research UK
- Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government
- New South Wales Government
- National Institutes of Health
- University of California, San Francisco
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- National Cancer Institute