American Lung Association’s ‘State of Lung Cancer’ Report Finds Wisconsin Among the Top States for Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths, and it’s estimated that 4,290 Wisconsin residents will be diagnosed with this disease in 2020 alone. The 2020 “State of Lung Cancer” report from the American Lung Association finds that while more Americans are surviving the disease, people of color are facing poorer health outcomes than white residents, and Wisconsin can do more to improve survival rates.

The 3rd annual “State of Lung Cancer” report examines the toll of lung cancer throughout the nation and outlines steps every state can take to better protect its residents from lung cancer. For the first time, this year’s report explores the lung cancer burden among racial and ethnic groups at the national and state levels.

This year’s “State of Lung Cancer” highlights the positive trend of increased lung cancer survival, as the nationwide five-year lung cancer survival rate of 22.6% reflects a 13% improvement over the past five years. In Wisconsin the survival rate is 23.5% Wisconsin ranks above average nationally for the number of people screened for lung cancer as well as for those receiving treatment. The state falls in the middle for overall number of cases, early diagnosis, cases that can be treated surgically and survival rate,

New in this year’s report is that Blacks in Wisconsin are most likely to receive no treatment, indicating a serious health disparity.

“While we celebrate that more Americans are surviving lung cancer, too many people are being left behind, and the disease still remains the leading cause of cancer deaths,” said Megan Cordova, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Wisconsin. “Much more can and must be done to prevent the disease and support those facing the disease.”

Part of the reason that lung cancer is so deadly is because most cases are diagnosed at a later stage, after the disease has spread. Lung cancer screening is the key to catching lung cancer early when the disease is most curable, but only 22.9% of lung cancer cases nationally are diagnosed at an early stage. While this simple screening test has been available since 2015, only 10.8% of those eligible in Wisconsin have been screened.

“Lung cancer screening is a powerful tool to save lives,” said Cordova “It’s a relatively new test, and we’re only seeing a fraction of those who qualify actually getting screened. We’re pushing for greater awareness of this test to save more lives here in Wisconsin.”

More treatment options are available for lung cancer than ever before, yet not everyone is receiving treatment following diagnosis. In Wisconsin, 12.6% of those diagnosed did not receive any form of treatment. Those rates are highest in the Black population.

“We want to ensure that everyone has access to treatment options and quality and affordable healthcare. No one who wants care should have to forgo treatment due to lack of access or cost,” Cordova said.

Learn more about "State of Lung Cancer" at Lung.org/solc. For media interested in speaking with a lung cancer expert about advances in lung cancer and the "State of Lung Cancer" 2020 report or lung cancer survivor about their experience, contact Dona Wininsky at the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 262-703-4840.