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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of adults who get screened for lung cancer — C‑03 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 4.5 percent of adults aged 55 to 80 years received a lung cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines in 2015

Target: 7.5 percent

Numerator
Number of adults aged 55 to 80 years with a 30-pack-year smoking history, and who are currently smoking or quit in the past 15 years, screened for lung cancer in the last 12 months.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 55 to 80 years with a 30-pack-year smoking history and who are currently smoking or quit in the past 15 years.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were not available for this objective. The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because lung cancer screening is a relatively new intervention that gained attention following release of a B recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2013. The target reflects a conservative increase in the implementation of this complex and expensive screening intervention.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2015 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Supplement:

Numerator:
Have you EVER HAD a CT or CAT scan?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
Were any of the CT or CAT scans you had done of your chest area?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Several areas of upper body region
  4. Refused
  5. Don't know
Were any of the CAT scans of your chest area done to check for lung cancer, rather than for some other reason?
  1. Yes, to check for lung cancer
  2. No, for some other reason
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
When did you have your MOST RECENT CT or CAT scan of your chest area to check or screen for lung cancer?
  1. A year ago or less
  2. More than 1 year but not more than 2 years ago
  3. More than 2 years but not more than 3 years ago
  4. More than 3 years but not more than 5 years ago
  5. Over 5 years ago
  6. Refused
  7. Don't know
How many CT or CAT scans to check or screen for lung cancer have you had in the LAST 3 YEARS?
  1. 0-95
  2. Refused
  3. Don't know

Methodology notes

Data include persons who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years. Healthy People 2030 uses the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations to measure this objective and the current USPSTF guidelines (Grade B) recommend annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults 55 to 80 years who meet the smoking criteria. The USPSTF guidelines recommend screening be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that limits life expectancy or the ability to have curative lung surgery.

Age-adjustment notes

This indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

  • Total: 55-64, 65-80
  • Sex: 55-64, 65-80
  • Race/Ethnicity: 55-64, 65-80
  • Country of Birth: 55-64, 65-80
  • Geographic Location: 55-64, 65-80
  • Family Income: 55-64, 65-80
  • Educational Attainment: 55-64, 65-80
  • Marital Status: 55-64, 65-80
  • Disability Status: 55-64, 65-80
  • Sexual Orientation: 55-64, 65-80
  • Veteran Status: 55-64, 65-80
  • Health Insurance: 55-64