Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening - Summary - MDSpire
From the Journals

Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening

Cohort data suggest past-eligible former smokers retain competing mortality profiles similar to younger current-eligible smokers

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • May 5, 2026

  • 5 min

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A longitudinal cohort study analyzed mortality in former smokers who had previously qualified for lung cancer screening but quit more than 10 years prior. The study, involving 24,715 participants, found sustained elevated mortality risks for lung cancer and other causes, suggesting that current cessation-based eligibility cutoffs may overlook the risk profiles of former smokers. While these findings recommend reconsideration of screening guidelines, more extensive research is necessary to establish clinical benefits. Limited precision and generalizability due to lower smoking prevalence were noted.

Original Source(s)

Former Smokers May Merit Later Screening

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • May 5, 2026

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