Clinicians push state to require lung‑screening notices at points of tobacco sale to boost early detection

A coalition of thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists and patient advocates told the Joint Committee on Public Health that a simple information requirement at tobacco points of sale would increase awareness of lung‑cancer screening and save lives. Surgeons and oncologists said that while low‑dose CT screening reduces lung‑cancer mortality by 20–33 percent in randomized trials, only about 24 percent of people eligible for screening in Massachusetts receive it annually. "This is a simple lifesaving policy that will require information about lung cancer screening to be posted wherever tobacco is sold," said Dr. Jeff Yang, a thoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. Other clinicians emphasized that early detection can make lung cancer curable: "Early detection is how we cure lung cancer," said Dr. Jacob Sands of Dana‑Farber. Advocates noted that Massachusetts already requires other tobacco‑related notices at retail sites and argued the additional message would be low cost and reach populations with high tobacco use and low screening rates. Supporters asked the committee to advance Senate Bill 1554, which would require point‑of‑sale notices about lung‑cancer screening and list the state quit line as a resource. Clinicians also said connecting people to screening programs increased quit attempts and that screening programs in Massachusetts report higher local cessation rates than national averages. The committee heard personal stories from survivors and family members describing late diagnoses and the life‑saving difference early detection can make.