Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the primary lung cancer screening program in Akita Prefecture, a region with the fastest aging population in Japan.

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced lung cancer screening participation, especially among the older adult population in Akita Prefecture, resulting in a decrease in lung cancer diagnoses through screening. This might have reduced the number of early-stage cancer registrations. It is necessary to improve health education among the public regarding the importance of chest X-ray screening. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; ••: ••-••.