A new analysis of metastatic lung cancer trends in the U.S. reveals that while overall incidence has declined since 2014, not all communities are benefiting equally. The study, published in Cureus, examined data from over 445,000 adults and found that racial and ethnic disparities remain stark in the era of lung cancer screening.
The decline in metastatic lung cancer was most significant among White and Black patients. However, no meaningful trend changes were observed for non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander, or Hispanic populations. This suggests that these groups may not be accessing or benefiting from early detection efforts at the same rate.
The introduction of low-dose chest CT (LDCT) screening in 2013 was intended to catch lung cancer earlier and reduce mortality. While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended annual LDCT screening for high-risk adults, uptake has been uneven. “Reports indicate… the uptake of lung cancer screening has been low across the U.S., particularly among high-risk and minority populations,” the authors noted.
The study also highlighted that 77% of lung cancer cases from 2012 to 2018 were diagnosed at a regional or distant stage, where survival rates are significantly lower. Earlier diagnosis, made possible through screening, is critical to improving outcomes.
Although the Affordable Care Act may have improved access to screening, the benefits have not been evenly distributed. Without targeted outreach and equitable implementation, disparities in lung cancer outcomes are likely to persist.
See: “A Trend Analysis of Metastatic Lung Cancer Disparities in the United States in the Era of Lung Cancer Screening” (June 1, 2025)