Eligibility for Lung Cancer Screening in Switzerland: A Comparative Analysis of Three Data Sources From Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud

Objectives: 

This study aimed to estimate the proportion of individuals potentially eligible for lung cancer screening in Lausanne, canton of Vaud, Switzerland, and its associations with key sociodemographic and health-related covariates. 

Methods: 

We analyzed self-reported, cross-sectional data from three sources: Lausanne cohort 65+ (2014; n = 1,678; ages 65–70), CoLaus|PsyCoLaus (2014–2017; n = 3,839; ages 50–79), and the Swiss Health Survey (2022, representative of Vaud, ages 50–79). Eligibility was defined by the 2021 United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria. Screening eligibility prevalence was estimated separately in each dataset, and eligible and non-eligible participants were compared using bivariate hypothesis tests. 

Results: 

Eligibility was 18.2% in the Lc65+ cohort, 16.0% in CoLaus, and 14.4% in the Swiss Health Survey. Among eligible individuals, the prevalence of current smoking was 58.7% in Lc65+, 60.1% in the Swiss Health Survey, and 64.9% in CoLaus. Eligible participants tended to have a higher burden of comorbidities and social vulnerabilities, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression, and lower education or income; statistically significant differences varied by dataset. 

Conclusion: 

In this Swiss population, about one in six adults met lung cancer screening criteria. Findings highlight the need for combining early detection with tobacco cessation, health promotion, and equitable access to care.