2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP01.03-005. Current status of High-risk Smokers Participating in Population-based National Lung Cancer Screening Program in Korea

EP01.03-005. Current status of High-risk Smokers Participating in Population-based National Lung Cancer Screening Program in Korea

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The Korean government implemented a national lung cancer screening program using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk smokers in 2019. The program targeted current smokers aged 54 to 74 years with a smoking history of 30 packs per year or more. Screening was offered every two years, and LDCT scans were performed using radiation less than 3mGy. Screening results were reported using the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS), and participants received their results by mail or email. Certified doctors provided counseling on the results and mandatory smoking cessation counseling. The National Cancer Center monitored participation rates and statistics of screening results for quality control.<br /><br />The participation rates in the screening program increased gradually from 24.8% in 2019 to 38.7% in 2021. However, the proportion of examinees who participated in post-counseling decreased from 46.3% in 2019 to 32.7% in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive rates of screening, defined as the proportion of Lung-RADS category 3 and 4 nodules, slightly decreased from 9.2% in 2019 to 8.7% in 2021. The variation in positive rates among screening units also showed a tendency to decrease over time. <br /><br />In conclusion, the national lung cancer screening program in Korea has been implemented successfully with relatively low screening positive rates. However, there is a need to improve the management of false negatives and strengthen post-screening management, including smoking cessation counseling.

Asset Subtitle

EunKyo Kang

Meta Tag

Speaker EunKyo Kang

Topic Early Detection and Screening - Implementation

Keywords

Korean government

lung cancer screening program

low-dose computed tomography

LDCT

high-risk smokers

smoking history

Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System

participation rates

screening results

smoking cessation counseling