Next steps in lung cancer screening; AHRQ on tech for aging patients; calling the carcinogen committee – Morning Medical Update

What’s the next best step in lung cancer screening?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Smoking is a major contributor to lung cancer, so it’s good news that smoking rates generally are plunging in the United States. Yet, lung cancer also afflicts patients who never used tobacco, and many people who did smoke at some time in life are not getting screened for the disease. What’s the best way to resolve this situation, especially with help from primary care physicians? Check out the latest findings in JAMA, which has a research letter on deaths prevented and life-years gained from lung cancer screening; an accompanying editorial on it; a study on using electronic patient portals to encourage screening; and a recent review on “Lung Cancer in Nonsmoking Individuals.”

AHRQ on health care tech for aging patients

Get the latest information on digital health care technology that could help the growing number of older patients in America in an online webinar scheduled next month. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality will host “Prepping for the Future: Digital Solutions for Aging Populations” on Dec. 17. It’s free; sign up here.

Carcinogen experts needed

The National Academy of Medicine is taking nominations for a 12-member committee to oversee a review of the “2025 Report on Carcinogens Handbook on Methods for Conducting Cancer Hazard Evaluations.” It’s a congressionally mandated, science-based list of substances known or reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in humans. Expertise in public health risk assessment, toxicology, and carcinogen mechanisms is welcome. Nominations are due Dec. 3. Learn more and submit a nomination here.