Stratification and management of patients ineligible for lung cancer screening

This study identifies participants ineligible for lung cancer screening with the greatest likelihood of future eligibility. Lung cancer risk in participants enrolled in longitudinal lung screening was assessed using the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian lung cancer risk calculator (PLCOm2012) at two timepoints: baseline (T-1) and follow-up (T-2). Separate analyses were performed on four PLCOm2012 eligibility thresholds (3.25%, 2.00%, 1.50%, and 1.00%); only participants with a T-1 risk less than the threshold were included in that analysis. Cox models identified T-1 risk factors associated with screen-eligibility at T-2. Three models, applying differing assumptions of participant behavior, predicted future eligibility and were benchmarked against the observed cohort. Nine hundred and fifty-six participants had a T-1 risk 3.25%; at 2.00% n= 755; at 1.50% n= 652; at 1.00% n= 484. Lung cancer risk increased over time in most screen-ineligible participants. However, risk increased much faster in participants who became screen-eligible at T-2 compared to those who remained screen ineligible (median per-year increase of 0.35% versus 0.02%, when using a 3.25% threshold). Participants smoking for 30 years, current smokers, less educated participants, and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at T-1 were significantly more likely to become screen-eligible. New diagnoses of COPD and/or non-lung cancers between T-1 and T-2 precipitated eligibility in a subset of participants. The prediction model that assumed health behaviors observed at T-1 continued to T-2 reasonably predicted changes in lung cancer risk. This prediction model and the identified baseline risk factors can identify screen-ineligible participants who should be closely followed for future eligibility.

Automated summary

This study identified individuals ineligible for lung cancer screening who are most likely to become eligible in the future. Factors such as smoking history, current smoking status, lower education level, and presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were significantly associated with becoming eligible for screening. The predictive model based on observed health behaviors reasonably predicted changes in lung cancer risk and can help identify participants who should be closely monitored for potential future eligibility.