State of Lung Cancer 2020

Alabama

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Rate of New Cases Survival Rate Early Diagnosis Surgical Treatment Lack of Treatment Screening
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Rate of New Cases -
Survival Rate -
Early Diagnosis -
Surgical Treatment -
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Screening -

Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening

No

Highlighted Disparity

Black Americans in Alabama are least likely to receive surgical treatment.

Lung Cancer Rates

New Cases

New Cases:

  • The rate of new lung cancer cases is 64 and significantly higher than the national rate of 58.
  • Alabama ranks 37th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
  • Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 7.5%.
5-Year Survival Rate

5-Year Survival Rate:

  • The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Alabama is 18%, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 24%.
  • It ranks 45th among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the bottom tier.
  • Over the last five years, the survival rate in Alabama improved by 10%.
Stage at Diagnosis

Most lung cancer cases are diagnosed at later stages when the cancer has spread to other organs, treatment options are less likely to be curative, and survival is lower. In general, the earlier that lung cancer is diagnosed, the more likely that treatments will be effective and improve chances of survival.

Nationally, only 24% of cases are caught early when the five-year survival rate is much higher (60%). Unfortunately, most cases (46%) are not caught until a late stage when the survival rate is only 6%.

Early Diagnosis:

  • 23.7% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 24.5%.
  • It ranks 35th among the 49 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the average tier.
  • Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in Alabama improved by 58%.

Lung Cancer Treatment

Surgical

While surgery may not be an option for every patient, those who receive it as part of their initial treatment have higher survival rates than those who do not. Patients who are not healthy enough to undergo the procedure or whose cancer has spread too far, may not be candidates for surgery. Other treatments may be recommended instead of or in addition to surgery, such as chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Surgical Treatment:

  • Alabama ranked 38th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 18% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
  • This is significantly lower than the national rate of 20.7% and puts Alabama in the below average tier.
  • Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in Alabama did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment

Not every patient receives treatment after being diagnosed with lung cancer. This can happen for multiple reasons, such as poor health or refusal of treatment. Some of these reasons may be unavoidable, but no one should go untreated because of lack of provider or patient knowledge, stigma associated with lung cancer, fatalism after diagnosis, or cost of treatment. Dismantling these and other barriers is important to reducing the percent of patients who do not receive any treatment.

Lack of Treatment:

  • Alabama ranked 27th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 20% of cases not receiving any treatment.
  • This is significantly lower than the national rate of 21% and puts Alabama in the average tier.
  • Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in Alabama did not change significantly. 

Screening

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COVID-19 Impact

Nationally, screening rates have increased every year since it was first recommended. However, the national rate did not change from 2019 to 2020, likely due to COVID-19 lockdowns limiting access to healthcare resources and the public’s reticence to enter medical facilities during the pandemic.

High Risk

Screening for lung cancer with annual low-dose CT scans among those at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting tumors at early stages when they are more likely to be curable.

Based on new research, in March of 2021, the United States Preventive Services Task Force expanded its recommendation for screening to include a larger age range and more current and former smokers. This will dramatically increase the number of women and Black Americans considered at high risk for lung cancer.

High Risk is defined as:

  2020 Guidelines 2021 Guidelines
Age 55-80 years 50-80 years
Smoking History 30 or more pack years
(this means 1 pack a day for 30 years, 2 packs a day for 15 years, etc.)		 20 or more pack years
(this means 1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10years, etc.)
Smoking Status Current smoker or quit within the last 15 years

Screening rates in this report are from before the guidelines were updated and do not yet reflect screening among those newly eligible.

Screening for High Risk:

  • In Alabama, 5% of those at high risk were screened, which was not significantly different than the national rate of 6%.
  • It ranks 34th among all states, placing it in the average tier.

For screening to be most effective in reducing the overall lung cancer mortality rate, more of the high-risk population should be screened – currently screening rates are very low among those at high risk. This may be because of a lack of access or low awareness and knowledge among patients and providers. Rates vary tremendously between states and more can be done to increase screening rates.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid beneficiaries are disproportionately affected by lung cancer, yet standard Medicaid programs are one of the only healthcare payers not required to cover lung cancer screening. If screening is covered, Medicaid programs may use different eligibility criteria, require prior authorization or charge individuals for their scans. The American Lung Association analyzed lung cancer screening coverage policies in state Medicaid fee-for-service programs to assess the current status of lung cancer screening coverage for the Medicaid population.

The Lung Association urges all state Medicaid programs to cover lung cancer screening based on evidence-based guidelines across all fee-for-service and managed care plans and to remove any financial or administrative barriers that limit access to this lifesaving service.

Medicaid Coverage:

  • Alabama was one of the 7 states whose Medicaid fee-for-service programs did not cover lung cancer screening as of September 2021.

Prevention

Tobacco
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Tobacco use is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. Smoking and secondhand smoke both have been shown to cause lung cancer.

State of Tobacco Control

Each year the Lung Association publishes the "State of Tobacco Control" report. The 2021 report grades all 50 states and the federal government on four key tobacco control policies: tobacco control and prevention spending, smokefree air, tobacco taxes, and cessation coverage.
View Report Card

Tobacco Use:

  • The smoking rate in Alabama is 20% and significantly higher than the national rate of 15%.
  • It ranks 44th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Radon
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Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that can seep into homes and buildings. Some geographical areas naturally have higher average radon levels than others, but since any home can be at risk for elevated levels, the only way to know is to do a test. If testing shows interior radon levels at or above the U.S. EPA action level of 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air) or higher, it is recommended to take corrective measures to reduce your exposure to radon gas. Such measures should also be considered at levels at or above 2 pCi/L.

Radon:

  • In Alabama, 14% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
  • It ranks 14th among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Air Pollution
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Air pollution is a known risk factor for lung cancer. Long-term exposure to outdoor particle pollution is known to cause lung cancer.

State of the Air

Each year the Lung Association publishes the "State of the Air" report. The 2021 report grades U.S. counties on harmful particle pollution and ozone pollution recorded over a three-year period, and details trends for metropolitan areas over the past two decades. The report also ranks the cleanest and most polluted areas in the country.
View Report Card

Racial & Ethnic Disparities

Black

Black Americans:

  • The rate of new lung cancer cases is 56 per 100,000 population among Black Americans in Alabama, significantly lower than the rate of 60 among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 67 among whites in Alabama.
  • The five-year survival rate is 16% among Black Americans in Alabama, significantly lower than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 19% among whites in Alabama.
  • 20% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black Americans in Alabama, significantly lower than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 25% among whites in Alabama.
  • 14% of Black Americans with lung cancer in Alabama underwent surgery, significantly lower than the rate of 17% among Black Americans nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 18% among whites in Alabama.
  • 21% of Black Americans with lung cancer in Alabama did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 23% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 20% among whites in Alabama.
Latino

Latino Americans:

  • The rate of new lung cancer cases is 19 per 100,000 population among Latinos in Alabama, significantly lower than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 67 among whites in Alabama. 
  • State-level survival rates are not available for Latino Americans at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Latino Americans is 19%, 13% lower than among white Americans. 
  • 34% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latinos in Alabama, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 25% among whites in Alabama. 
  • 30% of Latinos with lung cancer in Alabama underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Latinos nationally, and significantly higher than the rate of 18% among whites in Alabama. 
  • Other lung cancer rates are not available for Latino Americans in Alabama due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis. 
Asian & Pacific Islander

Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:

  • The rate of new lung cancer cases is 36 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Alabama, not significantly different than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 67 among whites in Alabama. 
  • State-level survival rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders is 23%, 8% higher than among white Americans. 
  • 25% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Alabama, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 25% among whites in Alabama. 
  • 21% of Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders with lung cancer in Alabama did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 22% among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 20% among whites in Alabama. 
  • Other lung cancer rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in Alabama due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis. 
Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples:

  • The rate of new lung cancer cases is 18 per 100,000 population among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Alabama, significantly lower than the rate of 41 among Indigenous Peoples nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 67 among whites in Alabama.
  •  State-level survival rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Indigenous Peoples is 19%, 11% lower than among white Americans. 
  • Other lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Alabama due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis. 

Summary

Despite the early diagnosis rate in Alabama falling into the average tier, the state still has a lot of work to do to make sure  that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.

The Lung Association encourages all states to cover lung cancer screening based on recommended guidelines across all fee-for-service and managed care plans without any financial or administrative barriers in their Medicaid programs.

Alabama falls into the average tier for percent of patients not receiving any treatment. Some patients do refuse treatment, but issues such as fatalism and stigma can prevent eligible patients from accessing treatment that may save or extend their lives. All patients should work with their doctors to establish a treatment plan and goals.

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State Infographic

Compare out how your state ranks on each lung cancer measure.

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What Can I Do?

You can lower their risk of lung cancer, as well as the risk of those around you, through these steps:

Sign Our Petition

Sign our petition asking Congress to provide the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with robust and sustainable funding.

Take Action
  • Encourage others who meet the criteria to do the same.
  • If you or someone you know is ready to quit smoking, the Lung Association is here to help. Our Freedom From Smoking program has helped over a million people quit smoking for good.
  • Support comprehensive and strong tobacco control policies, including:
    • Higher tobacco taxes, which both encourage people to quit and prevent children and others from starting to smoke.
    • Adequate funding of tobacco control programs, which are an important part of helping people quit and keeping potential new smokers from starting.
    • Comprehensive coverage of all FDA-approved smoking cessation medication and the three forms of counseling, with no barriers to accessing them, which leads to more successful quit attempts.
  • Make your house and car clean air zones, with no smoking allowed. Avoid places that are not smokefree, and advocate for smokefree air policies in restaurants, bars, casinos or anywhere they are not in place.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can have a big impact on indoor air quality and your health. Take steps to reduce your risk if radon levels in your home are too high.
Learn more about radon