West Virginia
Requires Coverage of Comprehensive Biomarker Testing
No
Highlighted Disparity
No racial disparities were found in West Virginia for these lung cancer metrics.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 76.5 and significantly higher than the national rate of 53.6.
- West Virginia ranks 49th among all states, placing it in the bottom tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases in West Virginia improved by 12%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in West Virginia is 24.5%, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 28.4%.
- It ranks 40th among the 47 states with survival data, placing it in the bottom tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in West Virginia improved by 34%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 27.6% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is not significantly different than the national rate of 27.4%.
- It ranks 25th among the 47 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 West Virginia did not change significantly.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Biomarker Coverage:
- West Virginia has yet to require any insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, including for lung cancer, as of September 2024.
Surgical Treatment:
- West Virginia ranked 20th (out of the 47 states with available data) with 20.7% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is not significantly different than the national rate of 20.7% and puts West Virginia in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in West Virginia did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment:
- West Virginia ranked 34th (out of the 47 states with available data) with 22.3% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 20.9% and puts West Virginia in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in West Virginia increased by 19%.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In West Virginia, 13.5% of those at high risk were screened, which was not significantly different than the national rate of 16.0%.
- It ranks 39th among all states, placing it in the below average tier.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in West Virginia is 21.0% and significantly higher than the national rate of 12.9%.
- It ranks 51st among all states, placing it in the bottom tier.
Radon:
- In West Virginia, 28.5% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 31st among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black individuals:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 64.5 per 100,000 population among Black individuals in West Virginia, not significantly different than the rate of 55.1 among Black individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 77.9 among white individuals in West Virginia.
- The five-year survival rate is 20.5% among Black individuals in West Virginia, not significantly different than the rate of 25.5% among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 24.5% among white individuals in West Virginia.
- 28.9% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black individuals in West Virginia, not significantly different than the rate of 24.1% among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 27.6% among white individuals in West Virginia.
- 23.6% of Black individuals with lung cancer in West Virginia underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 17.0% among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 20.6% among white individuals in West Virginia.
- 17.4% of Black individuals with lung cancer in West Virginia did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 22.7% among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 22.4% among white individuals in West Virginia.
Latino individuals:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 17.0 per 100,000 population among Latino individuals in West Virginia, significantly lower than the rate of 28.1 among Latino individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 77.9 among white individuals in West Virginia.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Latino individuals at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Latino individuals is 22.7%, not significantly different than the rate of 25.0% among white individuals.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Latino individuals in West Virginia due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 23.7 per 100,000 population among Asian or Pacific Islanders individuals in West Virginia, not significantly different than the rate of 32.5 among Asian or Pacific Islanders individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 77.9 among white individuals in West Virginia.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Asian or Pacific Islander individuals at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals is 28.6% and significantly higher than the rate of 25.0% among white individuals.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Asian or Pacific Islander individuals in West Virginia due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Indigenous Peoples:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in West Virginia due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in West Virginia 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.
West Virginia has yet to require any insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, which can help determine what treatment options would be best for individuals with lung cancer and other diseases.
West Virginia falls into the average tier for percent of patients receiving no 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.
Page last updated: November 12, 2024