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

## TL;DR

This study estimates lung cancer screening eligibility in Switzerland and finds that about one in six adults qualify, with higher smoking rates and health issues among eligible individuals.

## Contribution

The study compares lung cancer screening eligibility across three distinct Swiss datasets using standardized criteria.

## Key findings

- Eligibility for lung cancer screening ranged from 14.4% to 18.2% across the three datasets.
- Eligible individuals had higher rates of current smoking and comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and depression.
- Findings suggest a need for integrating screening with tobacco cessation and health equity efforts.

## Abstract

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.

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.

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.

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.