2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P4.04D.01 Gender Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening: A Systematic Literature Review

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This document presents a systematic literature review examining gender differences in lung cancer screening in the UK and US. It finds that men exhibit higher screening rates than women, influenced by factors like healthcare-seeking behavior, risk perception, and eligibility criteria. Lower screening rates in women point to a need for interventions focusing on gender identity, race, and socio-economic status to ensure fair access to healthcare.<br /><br />The study underscores that existing lung cancer screening criteria may not fully accommodate women, recognizing that they could have different risk factors independent of smoking. As smoking rates decline in men but increase in women, who may be more susceptible to tobacco carcinogens, reevaluation of screening criteria is essential. Noteworthy findings reveal that more women, despite not meeting current screening criteria, are diagnosed with lung cancer, highlighting the need for more comprehensive guidelines.<br /><br />The review includes data from 26 studies with 1.47 million participants from the US, UK, global populations, and Asia, exploring screening rates, criteria, and access. The results generally indicate higher participation and intention to attend screenings in men, although some studies show higher screening rates among women in specific regions. Factors like anxiety and health literacy, which could improve women's screening participation, are also considered.<br /><br />Limitations include the focus on studies reporting significant gender differences and predominantly North American research, potentially affecting global applicability. Funded by AstraZeneca, findings advocate for more inclusive screening criteria to address disparities, with suggested changes intended to ensure equitable healthcare for all at-risk groups, notably women. The analysis contributes to understanding gender disparities in lung cancer screening and the need for broader, more inclusive strategies for risk assessment and criteria formulation.

Asset Subtitle

Elaine Shum

Meta Tag

Speaker Elaine Shum

Topic Screening & Early Detection

Keywords

lung cancer screening

gender differences

UK

US

healthcare access

screening criteria

risk factors

socio-economic status

health literacy

gender disparities