### Lung Cancer Survival Rates Improve, But Disease Remains Deadliest Cancer in U.S.

A new report reveals that while more people with lung cancer are living longer, the disease continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The American Lung Association (ALA) highlighted both progress and ongoing challenges in its 2024 "State of Lung Cancer" report.

Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the ALA, expressed optimism about future advancements in lung cancer care. "There is more work to do, but I am incredibly optimistic about the future of lung cancer care," he stated. The report documents a 26% improvement in the lung cancer survival rate over the past five years, attributing this significant progress to the increased use of biomarker testing. This type of testing identifies changes in a tumor's DNA, allowing for more tailored and effective treatments for patients.

Despite the benefits, access to biomarker testing remains inconsistent across the country. Only 15 states mandate comprehensive insurance coverage for these tests, and five additional states require certain insurance plans to include them. Wimmer emphasized the importance of increasing both lung cancer screening rates and the accessibility of biomarker testing.

The 2024 report provides a nationwide overview and state-specific data on lung cancer screening rates. Currently, only 16% of eligible patients across the U.S. are being screened for lung cancer. Rhode Island leads with a screening rate of 28.6%, while Wyoming trails with only 8.6%. The ALA anticipates that nearly 235,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. this year.

A critical factor complicating treatment is late-stage diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is 28.4%, with Massachusetts showing the highest survival rate at 37.9% and Oklahoma the lowest at 22.2%. Early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates, which reach 64% for those caught early but drop dramatically to 9% for late-stage cases. Massachusetts has the highest rate of early diagnosis at 34.7%, while Hawaii has the lowest at 21.1%.

Surgical treatment is commonly used when lung cancer is detected early. Nationally, 20.7% of cases involve surgery. Conversely, approximately 20.9% of lung cancer cases go untreated, for reasons that can include lack of awareness, stigma, and financial constraints. Nevada has the highest rate of untreated cases at 36.7%, while Massachusetts has the lowest at 13.2%.

The report also underscores disparities in outcomes between minority and White patients. Minorities are diagnosed later, undergo surgery less frequently, and have higher rates of untreated cases. The ALA stresses the urgent need to eliminate these disparities and calls for all states to ensure insurance coverage for biomarker testing.

For further details on lung cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.