At what level of prevention would lung cancer screening currently be classified?

Lung cancer screening is classified as secondary prevention because it involves the early detection of disease in individuals who are asymptomatic. The primary aim of secondary prevention is to identify and treat health issues at an early stage before they develop into more severe forms or cause significant harm. Screening tests, such as low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk populations, are designed to catch lung cancer in its initial stages when treatment may be more effective and outcomes can be improved.

Primary prevention focuses on preventing the onset of disease, such as promoting smoking cessation or vaccinations, and is directed at reducing risk factors. Tertiary prevention, on the other hand, is concerned with the management and rehabilitation of established diseases to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life. Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence of risk factors in the first place, often through broad societal changes.

Considering this, lung cancer screening fits clearly into the secondary prevention category, emphasizing its role in identifying the disease early to improve overall survival rates and treatment outcomes.