Lung cancer death rates in the U.S. have decreased 11.5 percent since 2013, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On World Lung Cancer Day, August 1, the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania recently highlighted lung cancer advancements that save more lives.
“Even with the decrease in deaths, lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer of both men and women in the U.S. Here in Pennsylvania, it is estimated that 10,380 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and approximately 6,730 will succumb to the disease in 2019,” said Alison Yazer, executive director, American Lung Association in Western & Central Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “However, we are making huge strides in our fight against lung cancer and the decrease in lung cancer deaths motivates us to continue our efforts.”
Awareness
Through its LUNG FORCE initiative, the Lung Association raises awareness about lung cancer in both women and men. In the most recent Lung Health Barometer survey, the organization saw positive increases in their efforts to raise awareness about the disease. Since the inception of the Lung Health Barometer, women have become eight percentage points more likely to speak to their doctor about lung cancer (26 percent in 2017 vs. 18 percent in 2014). However, there is more work to do as only three percent of women cite lung cancer as a top-of-mind health concern.
Early Detection
Unfortunately, most lung cancer cases are still diagnosed in the later stages when treatment is less likely to be curative. People diagnosed at early stages of lung cancer are more than four times more likely to survive five years, but currently only 16 percent of lung cancer cases are diagnosed early.
The Lung Association is working to change that. Through the Saved By the Scan campaign, the organization raises awareness of lifesaving low-dose CT scan lung cancer screening. The scan is the only lung cancer screening tool that reduces the mortality rate for lung cancer by detecting the disease before it spreads. Today, there are an estimated eight million Americans who are at high risk for lung cancer and qualify for screening. If everyone eligible were screened, an estimated 25,000 lives would be saved. To see if you qualify for a lung cancer screening, take a two-minute quiz at SavedBytheScan.org.
Investments in Research
In the last five years, LUNG FORCE has raised money and advocated for more lung cancer research funding to help develop new treatments and better methods of early detection. The Lung Association has funded over $14 million in lung cancer research since the launch of LUNG FORCE in 2014. Additionally, the organization advocated for a 69 percent increase in lung cancer research funding at the National Institutes of Health.
“We are excited to see that lung cancer deaths have decreased, but there is still so much more that we need to do to end this terrible disease,” said Yazer. “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, so we encourage everyone to educate themselves and their loved ones about risks, early detection and symptoms.”
To learn more about lung cancer, volunteer or donate, please visit Lung.org.
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
