INDIANAPOLIS, IN | November 1, 2021
Survey data released today from the American Lung Association’s new Lung Health Barometer shows 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).
“In Indiana, it is estimated that in 2021, 5,960 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 3,520 will die from the disease,” said Nick Torres, director of advocacy at the Lung Association in Indiana. “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 Indiana;
- 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.
To schedule a media interview with a lung cancer expert, contact Dana Kauffman at the Lung Association at:
[email protected] or 312-940-7624.
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The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
LUNG FORCE is a national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite our nation in our efforts to defeat lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women and men. LUNG FORCE has three priorities: 1) Make lung cancer a cause that people care about – and act on; 2) Educate and empower patients and healthcare providers and 3) Raise critical funds for groundbreaking lung cancer research. The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE is nationally presented by CVS Health. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.
For more information, contact:
Dana Kauffman
312-940-7624
[email protected]
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