w Report Reveals Maryland Lags Behind Country in Lung Cancer Screening Rates; Ranks Above Average for Treatment, Survival and Surgery

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that Maryland ranks 36th in the nation for lung cancer screening. This means that Maryland is below average in the nation for lung cancer screening and more work is needed to reduce the burden of lung cancer. The American Lung Association’s 6th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Maryland and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.

The report also found that Maryland ranked above average for surgery as first course of treatment (7 out of 47 states measured), for five-year survival (11 out of 42) and treatment (14 out of 47). In Maryland, Asian or Pacific Islanders are least likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer early—12% less likely than white individuals at 21.7% compared to 27.9% for white individuals. the “State of Lung Cancer” report found that lung cancer survival rates are improving for everyone, including people of color. In fact, the five-year lung cancer survival rate for people of color has increased by 17% in the last two years, helping close the health disparity gap.

“Thankfully, in Maryland, the lung cancer survival rate has improved because of increased awareness, improved access to healthcare and cutting-edge research into new treatments for the disease,” said Aleks Casper, Director of Advocacy, MD, at the American Lung Association. “However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Maryland and across the nation, and our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do to focus on lung cancer screening and make sure that no one is left behind in efforts to improve lung cancer survival.”

The report found that Maryland ranked:

• 15 out of 48 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 52.1 per 100,000 people, which marks a 22% improvement over the past five years. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000.
• 11 out of 42 in the nation for survival at 28.4%, which marks an 11% improvement over the past five years. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%.
• 24 out of 47 in the nation for early diagnosis at 26.8%, Nationally, only 26.6% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 36 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 2.9% which is below average compared to national lung cancer screening percentage. 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.
• 7 out of 47 in the nation for surgery at 24.2%, which is above average but shows no improvement over the past five years. 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.
• 14 out of 47 in the nation for lack of treatment at 17.8%, which is above average but shows no improvement over the past five years. Nationally, 20.6% of cases receive no treatment.
• 5 out of 51 in the nation for percent of adults who currently smoke at 10.1%, which is better in comparison to the national percent of adults who currently smoke.  

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report highlights that Maryland must do more to reduce the burden of lung cancer and encourages everyone to help end lung cancer. Join the Lung Association’s efforts by asking your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4286, the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act at Lung.org/SOLC.

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that Maryland ranks 36th in the nation for lung cancer screening. This means that Maryland is below average in the nation for lung cancer screening and more work is needed to reduce the burden of lung cancer. The American Lung Association’s 6th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Maryland and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.

The report also found that Maryland ranked above average for surgery as first course of treatment (7 out of 47 states measured), for five-year survival (11 out of 42) and treatment (14 out of 47). In Maryland, Asian or Pacific Islanders are least likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer early—12% less likely than white individuals at 21.7% compared to 27.9% for white individuals. the “State of Lung Cancer” report found that lung cancer survival rates are improving for everyone, including people of color. In fact, the five-year lung cancer survival rate for people of color has increased by 17% in the last two years, helping close the health disparity gap.

“Thankfully, in Maryland, the lung cancer survival rate has improved because of increased awareness, improved access to healthcare and cutting-edge research into new treatments for the disease,” said Aleks Casper, Director of Advocacy, MD, at the American Lung Association. “However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Maryland and across the nation, and our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do to focus on lung cancer screening and make sure that no one is left behind in efforts to improve lung cancer survival.”

The report found that Maryland ranked:

• 15 out of 48 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 52.1 per 100,000 people, which marks a 22% improvement over the past five years. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000.
• 11 out of 42 in the nation for survival at 28.4%, which marks an 11% improvement.

over the past five years. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%.

• 24 out of 47 in the nation for early diagnosis at 26.8%, Nationally, only 26.6% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 36 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 2.9% which is below average compared to national lung cancer screening percentage. 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.
• 7 out of 47 in the nation for surgery at 24.2%, which is above average but shows no improvement over the past five years. 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.
• 14 out of 47 in the nation for lack of treatment at 17.8%, which is above average but shows no improvement over the past five years. Nationally, 20.6% of cases receive no treatment.
• 5 out of 51 in the nation for percent of adults who currently smoke at 10.1%, which is better in comparison to the national percent of adults who currently smoke.  

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report highlights that Maryland must do more to reduce the burden of lung cancer and encourages everyone to help end lung cancer. Join the Lung Association’s efforts by asking your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4286, the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act at Lung.org/SOLC.