ACR responds to USPSTF CT lung screening research plan

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and various partner associations have submitted a letter to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) offering recommendations for its upcoming five-year review of CT lung cancer screening.

The ACR, along with the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), encouraged the USPSTF to assess CT lung cancer screening using current studies and real-world implementation experience.

They have made several specific recommendations to the USPSTF as the task force finalizes its research plan:

• Reduce bias that overemphasizes the potential harms of CT lung cancer screening and, instead, equally consider both the harms and benefits in light of new data and protocols. Also take into account the overall harms to the population when the at-risk population does not undergo screening.
• Clarify that the CT screening exams are "low-dose."
• Include postmarket surveillance data in the review, rather than depend exclusively on information from randomized controlled trials.
• Address the benefits of screening for disparate populations, including the underserved and minorities, and consider additional lung cancer risk factors to ensure equitable access to screening.