New Survey: Most Texans Don’t Know About Lifesaving Lung Cancer Screening

Survey data released today from the American Lung Association’s new Lung Health Barometer show that only 36% of people know that lung cancer screening is available and 29% know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men. The Lung Association reports this data to raise awareness and kickoff activities for Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November).  

“Here in Texas, it is estimated that in 2021, 15,010 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 8,300 will die from the disease,” said Charlie Gagen, Advocacy Director at the Lung Association in Texas. “However, there is hope. The five-year survival rate has increased 33% in the past 10 years thanks to advancements in treatment, research and lifesaving lung cancer screening.”

The 2021 Lung Health Barometer surveyed 4,000 Americans nationwide about lung health and lung cancer. Some key findings show that: 
•    29% of Americans know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men, which is an 8% increase from the 2020 Lung Health Barometer.
•    Only 10% of adults understand that lung cancer is among the most likely cancers to affect women while 35% know that it is among those cancers most likely to affect men. 
•    Only 36% of respondents know that lung cancer screening is now available for early detection of the disease for those who are high risk.

See more Lung Health Barometer survey results here.

Throughout Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Lung Association will share its new resources including:
•    Webinar recordings of the Lung Cancer Patient Meetup on the Go program;
•    The State of Lung Cancer Report (releasing on November 16) highlighting Texas;
•    Inspiring patient stories; and 
•    Lifesaving lung cancer screening information. 

This is the sixth year of the Lung Health Barometer, which is conducted by the Lung Association’s 
LUNG FORCE initiative, an effort to unite the nation for lung health and against lung cancer.