New Report Reveals Missouri is 4th Best in Nation for Cases Receiving No Treatment After Lung Cancer Diagnosis

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals Missouri is fourth best in the country for people receiving treatment after a lung cancer diagnosis. The Show Me State has a lack of treatment rate of 15.4% compared to the national average of 20.6%

The American Lung Association’s 6th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Missouri and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.

The report also found that while Missouri is seeing more cases than the national average, the state also ranks as the sixth worst in the nation for new lung cancer cases. Missouri saw 68.43 new cases per 100,000, higher than the national average of 54.6 new cases per 100,000.

“Thankfully, in Missouri, 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 Laura Turner, Advocacy Director at the American Lung Association in Missouri. “However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Missouri and across the nation, and our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do on lung cancer screenings, and treatment.”

The report found that Missouri ranked:

• 43 out of 48 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 68.43 per 100,000. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000.
• 27 out of 42 in the nation for survival at 24.7%. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%.
• 19 out of 47 in the nation for early diagnosis at 27.4%. Nationally, only 26.6% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 20 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 5.8%. 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.
• 34 out of 47 in the nation for surgery at 17.9%. 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.
• 4 out of 47 in the nation for lack of treatment at 15.4%. Nationally, 20.6% of cases receive no treatment.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. An estimated 33% of all Missouri homes tested are above the U.S. EPA Action Level of 4.0 pCi/L. The American Lung Association helps lead the Missouri Lung Cancer Coalition, with a key focus on raising awareness about radon and its connection to lung cancer through educational efforts throughout the state.

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report highlights that Missouri 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.

Nationally, 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.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. Fight For Air Climb St. Louis is coming up in the spring on March 23rd. Learn more at FightForAirClimb.org/StLouis.

Media Resources:

• B-Roll is available here:
  • Lung Cancer Screening: LungCancerB-roll_Final.mp4 | Powered by Box
  • Doctor and Patient: Broll: Doctor and patient consultation.mp4 | Powered by Box
• American Lung Association logos are available here: Media | American Lung Association