Journal: Cancer
The publication associated with DOI 10.1002/cncr.35972 addresses the critical gap in effectively integrating tobacco dependence treatment within lung cancer screening programs.
Although tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer, the use of evidence-based cessation interventions remains low.
The recent CMS National Coverage Determination requires a shared decision-making visit for lung cancer screening that includes smoking cessation counseling but does not provide specific guidance on delivering high-quality treatment.
The American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable Task Group recommends several strategies to enhance tobacco treatment delivery in this context, including:
- Defining quality indicators
- Embedding treatment into screening workflows
- Expanding access and coverage for cessation medications
- Training screening staff
- Leveraging electronic health records
- Addressing barriers to guideline implementation
These efforts aim to improve cessation outcomes and overall health for individuals undergoing lung cancer screening.