Slow USPSTF lung cancer CT screening review draws ire

The Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), Legacy, and Prevent Cancer Foundation are protesting what they believe is an "unconscionable delay" in the federal government's review of CT screening for those at high risk for lung cancer and have asked Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius to intervene.

The letter to Sebelius, which was sent by the three organizations last week, objected to the "lethargic pace" of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in reviewing CT screening for lung cancer. The LCA said that USPSTF recently told the organization that its review would not even reach the public comment stage until spring of 2013. That time frame would mean that a final recommendation may not be issued until 2014.

Because there is no sense of urgency on the part of the USPSTF, the LCA felt it was important to write to Secretary Sebelius to ask her to expedite the process, LCA President and CEO Laurie Fenton Ambrose said in a statement.

The USPSTF most recently reviewed CT screening for lung cancer in 2004 when it gave it an "I" rating, stating there was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening.