Socioeconomic Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening Participation - Report - MDSpire

Socioeconomic Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening Participation

  • By

  • Sara Delilovic

  • Diego Yacaman Mendez

  • Nina Markholm Nordgren

  • Gunnar Wagenius

  • Anne Richter

  • July 16, 2026

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Economic Inequities Affecting Participation in Lung Cancer Screening Programs

Background

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, with significant disparities in incidence and outcomes across different demographic groups. Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations are disproportionately affected, often facing barriers to healthcare access and higher smoking rates.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Disparities in lung cancer incidence and mortality persist across demographic groups.
  • Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are less likely to participate in lung cancer screening programs.
  • The pilot project in Sweden aimed to assess feasibility for women aged 55 to 74 with a smoking history.
  • Eligibility for LDCT screening was based on specific smoking criteria aligned with the NELSON study.
  • Invitation letters were mailed without follow-up reminders.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the socioeconomic barriers that may prevent high-risk populations from participating in lung cancer screening. Tailored outreach and support strategies may be necessary to improve participation rates among these groups.

Conclusion

Addressing the socioeconomic factors influencing lung cancer screening participation is essential for improving early detection and reducing mortality in high-risk populations.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The ASCO Post, Enrollment Disparity in National Lung Cancer Trials, 2016 -- Enrollment Disparity in National Lung Cancer Trials
  2. The ASCO Post, Study Finds Travel Distance to Lung Cancer Screening Facilities Differs by Race and Ethnicity, 2025 -- Study Finds Travel Distance to Lung Cancer Screening Facilities Differs by Race and Ethnicity
  3. JAMA Network Open, Questionnaire-Based Identification and Participation in Lung Cancer Screening in Sweden, 2023 -- Questionnaire-Based Identification and Participation in Lung Cancer Screening in Sweden
  4. Recommendation: Lung Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce, 2021 -- Lung Cancer: Screening
  5. Screening for lung cancer: 2023 guideline update from the American Cancer Society, 2024 -- Screening for lung cancer: 2023 guideline update from the American Cancer Society
  6. the asco post — Rates of Breast, CRC Screenings Almost Four Times Higher Than Lung Cancer Screenings
  7. Recommendation: Lung Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce
  8. Screening for lung cancer: 2023 guideline update from the American Cancer Society - Wolf - 2024 - CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians - Wiley Online Library
  9. NCD - Lung Cancer Screening with Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) (210.14)
  10. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Lung Cancer Screening, Version 1.2025 - PubMed
  11. Council updates its recommendation to screen for cancer - Consilium
  12. Targeted Lung Health Check Programme renamed the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme – UK National Screening Committee
  13. Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Screening | New England Journal of Medicine
  14. Reduced Lung-Cancer Mortality with Volume CT Screening in a Randomized Trial | New England Journal of Medicine
  15. Lung cancer screening using low-dose
  16. State of Lung Cancer | Key Findings | American Lung Association
  17. State of Lung Cancer 2023
  18. Implementation of the NHS England Lung Cancer Screening Programme over 5 years | Nature Medicine
  19. Socioeconomic Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening Participation | Oncology | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network

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