12/01/2023

The State of Lung Cancer Report

The State of Lung Cancer Report

The American Lung Association is pleased to present their latest signature report, “State of Lung Cancer,”.  In its 6th annual edition, this report delves into the state-specific measures of lung cancer indicators which include new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, Medicaid screening coverage data, radon and screening rates.

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that the lung cancer survival rate has improved 22% over the last five years to 26.6%. Additionally, the survival rate has increased at a faster pace among communities of color, so that it is no longer significantly lower compared to white individuals. While this is a step in the right direction, more work needs to be done to close the health disparity gap.

Lung cancer screening is a pivotal tool in our mission to alleviate the burden of lung cancer on families because early diagnosis truly saves lives. In 2022, a mere 4.5% of eligible individuals were screened across the nation.

The report found that Massachusetts ranked:

• 1 in the nation for early diagnosis at 33.3%. Nationally, only 26.6% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 1 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 11.9%. Lung cancer screening with annual low-dose CT scans for those at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20%. Nationally, only 4.5% of those at high risk were screened.
• 1 in the nation for surgery at 31.3%. Lung cancer can often be treated with surgery if it is diagnosed at an early stage and has not spread. Nationally, 20.8% of cases underwent surgery.
• 2 in the nation for lack of treatment at 13.4%. Nationally, 20.6% of cases receive no treatment.
• 31 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 59.5 per 100,000. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000.
• Data for the 5-year survival rate in Massachusetts is unavailable. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%.

The report continues to be a powerful catalyst for effecting change in public policy. Through insightful statistics, it offers a comprehensive, data-driven perspective to further shape the future of lung cancer care in our nation.

Join the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer by asking your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4286 the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act at Lung.org/SOLC.