Researchers Announce a Major Step Forward in Lung Cancer Early Detection
A new study found a blood test could detect 85% of lung cancer cases in people who have smoked within one year, versus 63% under current screening guidelines. The Susan Wojcicki Foundation is supporting follow-up research to expand this work across diverse populations, including people with no smoking history or known risk factors.
May 18, 2026
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and far too many cases are still diagnosed too late—often in people without any known risk factors.
That's why we're celebrating a major step forward in early detection research.
A new study published today in JAMA by scientists at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that a blood-based biomarker test called the INTEGRAL-Risk model can identify 85% of lung cancer cases in people who have smoked within one year, compared to 63% using current U.S. screening criteria. The model measures 13 proteins in the blood to predict lung cancer risk more precisely than questionnaire-based methods alone.
Why This Study Matters
Misunderstanding, stigma, and outdated assumptions are leaving too many people diagnosed with lung cancer only after it has already progressed. A blood test that helps better define who’s most at risk could change that.
The Susan Wojcicki Foundation will support follow-up research that extends this work to people who have never smoked. As lung cancer risk patterns continue to evolve, our approaches to screening and early detection need to evolve too.
Learn more about our work, and read more in TIME magazine.
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