Goal 3: Target the social drivers of health and chronic disease prevention and treatment among women through strengthened community engagement and addressing systemic barriers
Lung Cancer Screening Among High Risk Individuals
Current Value
16.8%
Definition
This measure shows the percentage of high-risk Marylanders screened for lung cancer within the past year. High-risk is defined as being between the ages of 50 and 80 with a history of smoking within the past 15 years and a total lifetime smoking history of 20 or more pack years (equivalent to one pack a day for 20 years).
Story Behind the Curve
Data Definition and Methodology: This measure shows the percentage of high-risk Marylanders screened for lung cancer within the past year. High-risk is defined as being between the ages of 50 and 80 with a history of smoking within the past 15 years and a total lifetime smoking history of 20 or more pack years (equivalent to one pack a day for 20 years).
This measure was calculated by the American Lung Association using data from the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Lung Cancer Screening Registry State Level Comparison, the CDC's National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Public Health Significance: Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. More people in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. This is true for both men and women. Lung cancer screening can help prevent deaths from lung cancer in people at high risk — mostly current and former smokers. But screening rates in this population remain very low.
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