Lung cancer screening reading list

Milliman's actuarial research has played a key role in the establishment of an evidence-based case for lung cancer screening. The announcement by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) stating it will now recommend lung cancer screening for certain high-risk populations follows a series of actuarial studies that helped make the value case for such screenings.

The following reading list highlights the actuarial research and also provides links to other lung cancer-related content.

• An actuarial approach to comparing early stage and late stage lung cancer mortality and survival (subscription required)
  This actuarial analysis of lung cancer mortality published in Population Health Management provides evidence that early detection of lung cancer generates genuine mortality reductions not associated with lead time bias, and therefore could reduce late stage deaths by over 70,000 people in the United States each year.
• An actuarial analysis shows that offering lung cancer screening as an insurance benefit would save lives at relatively low cost
  Using actuarial models, this study published in Health Affairs estimates the costs and benefits of annual lung cancer screening if offered as a commercial insurance benefit in the high-risk U.S. population, ages 50 to 64.
• Improved lung cancer screening could lead to earlier detection
  In this interview, the authors and sponsors of the first actuarial analysis of lung cancer mortality discuss the broader implications their research may have in the effort to reduce deaths associated with the disease.
• An actuarial analysis of lung cancer screening
  This blog post highlights Bruce Pyenson's presentation on lung cancer screening at Health Affairs' "Value in Cancer Care" briefing in 2012.