Read time: 1 minute.
Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the first trusted point of contact for people who may be eligible for lung cancer screening. New research from LUNGevity and Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented at the 2026 World Conference of Lung Cancer in Seoul, South Korea, looked at provider knowledge, practices, and barriers across a large medical system serving a diverse community in New York.
Key findings included:
Among PCP respondents…
- PCPs report strong belief in the effectiveness of lung cancer screening.
- However, there are sizeable knowledge gaps. For example, only 53% correctly identified the upper age limit for USPSTF screening eligibility.
- 80% expressed interest in having continuing education for lung cancer screening.
“The opportunity here is very practical,” said Upal Basu Roy PhD, MPH, Executive Director of LUNGevity Research. “If we can support primary care teams with the right education, navigation support, and referral tools, more eligible patients can move from awareness to screening.”
Takeaway and next steps: LUNGevity and Montefiore Einstein are building on this research by developing follow-up programs that address these unmet needs. We are working to create screening programs that pair provider education with navigator-supported workflows and patient-facing awareness efforts, in communities where financial concerns and lack of screening awareness can slow access.
Want to learn more about how you can improve lung cancer screening in your community? Email Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, LUNGevity’s Executive Director of Research at [email protected]