The Critical Role of Diagnostic Imaging in Lung Cancer Outcomes
Published: July 2026
Each year on World Lung Cancer Day, we bring awareness to the patients, families, and caregivers impacted by a disease that remains one of the most significant health challenges worldwide.
In the United States, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women and the leading cause of cancer-related death. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 229,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2026, and nearly 125,000 will lose their lives to the disease.
While those numbers are sobering, there is also reason for optimism.
Advances in screening, diagnostic imaging, and treatment are helping detect lung cancer earlier and improve outcomes for patients.
Earlier Detection Changes Everything
One of the greatest challenges in lung cancer care is that symptoms often do not appear until the disease has progressed. Historically, many patients were diagnosed only after cancer had spread beyond the lungs.
Now, advanced diagnostic imaging is helping change that reality.
Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening has emerged as one of the most powerful tools available for identifying lung cancer in its earliest stages, often before symptoms develop. When cancer is detected early, patients typically have more treatment options and a greater opportunity for positive outcomes.
According to National Cancer Institute data, the five-year relative survival rate for patients whose lung cancer is detected while still localized is more than 65% compared with less than 10% when the disease has spread.
Diagnostic Imaging as a Foundation of Care
Diagnostic imaging does far more than identify potential disease.
From screening and diagnosis to treatment planning and follow-up, imaging serves as a critical foundation for nearly every stage of the lung cancer journey. CT, PET/CT, and other advanced imaging technologies help physicians characterize suspicious findings, determine disease extent, guide treatment decisions, and monitor response to therapy.
As a radiologist, I have seen how much rigor goes into this work behind the scenes. Standardized reporting frameworks like Lung-RADS ensure that screening findings are categorized consistently and paired with clear follow-up recommendations. Structured tracking of incidental pulmonary nodules helps ensure that no suspicious finding falls through the cracks. And increasingly, AI-assisted detection tools are supporting radiologists in identifying subtle findings earlier.
Accurate, timely imaging enables clinical teams to make informed decisions with confidence. It helps ensure patients receive the right care at the right time and supports collaboration among radiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, surgeons, and referring providers.
As cancer care becomes increasingly personalized, the value of precise imaging continues to grow.
Expanding Access Remains Essential
Despite the progress we have made, challenges remain.
Many eligible individuals are still not participating in recommended lung cancer screening programs. According to the American Lung Association, only 18.2% of people eligible for lung cancer screening received screening in the most recently reported data.
Current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend annual LDCT screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. For most eligible patients, screening is covered by Medicare and commercial insurance at no out-of-pocket cost.
We must also confront the stigma that surrounds this disease. Too many eligible individuals avoid screening out of fear of judgment about their smoking history. No one should feel shame in seeking a screening that could save their life.
Improving awareness is important, but awareness alone is not enough. Patients must also have access to screening and diagnostic services in the communities where they live.
Fixed imaging centers, hospital partnerships, and mobile imaging solutions help reduce barriers and bring potentially life-saving services closer to patients.
Looking Ahead
Diagnostic imaging is not just a tool. It is often the first step in a patient’s cancer journey and, increasingly, one of our strongest allies in the fight against lung cancer.
By continuing to invest in technology, find ways to expand access, and bring awareness to early detection, we can help more patients receive diagnoses earlier, begin treatment sooner, and achieve better outcomes.
If you or someone you love may be eligible, talk with your physician about low-dose CT screening, and know that our teams across the country are ready to help.
Article written by: Dr. Nasir Siddiqui, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Akumin