Several imaging industry groups are lauding the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for its decision recommending annual low-dose CT lung cancer screening.
The USPSTF supported screening of individuals 55 to 79 years of age who have at least a 30-pack-year history of smoking and have smoked within the past 15 years. The recommendation is a major step forward in adding CT lung cancer screening to the armamentarium of screening tests available in the battle against cancer.
The American College of Radiology (ACR), the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), and the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC) lauded the USPSTF's decision. MITA and AMIC are urging the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand Medicare coverage for this service for those at risk.
MITA noted that other groups have endorsed CT lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals, including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
Meanwhile, AMIC highlighted USPSTF's grade B for CT lung cancer screening, pointing out that the grade means the task force recommends that providers "offer or provide this service." Like MITA, AMIC urged CMS to ensure Medicare coverage for screening.
Finally, ACR said it is completing CT lung cancer screening Appropriateness Criteria and practice guidelines to help ensure safe and effective care for those at high risk of lung cancer. The criteria and guidelines should provide guidance for sites that want to set up CT lung cancer screening programs, according to ACR.
