PENNSYLVANIA — The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report, released by the American Lung Association, has revealed that Pennsylvania is among the top states in the nation for lung cancer screening and survival. However, the report also highlights areas where the state needs to improve to reduce the burden of lung cancer.
Pennsylvania ranks eighth in the nation for lung cancer screening and tenth for survival. The state also ranks seventh for treatment, indicating a strong healthcare response towards this disease. However, the state ranks poorly, 39th out of 51 states, for radon test results lower than the EPA recommended action level.
The report further found that while Pennsylvania ranks average for early diagnosis (20 out of 47 states), Asian or Pacific Islander individuals in the Commonwealth are 24% less likely to be diagnosed early compared to white individuals. Early diagnosis significantly increases the five-year survival rate.
On a national level, the report found that lung cancer survival rates are improving for everyone, including people of color. 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.
Aimee VanCleave, Director of Advocacy, PA at the American Lung Association, stated that although lung cancer survival rates in Pennsylvania have improved due to heightened awareness, better healthcare access, and advanced research into new treatments, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths both in the state and nationwide. She emphasized the need for further action, including strengthening the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act to protect residents from secondhand smoke and ensuring equitable efforts to boost lung cancer survival rates.
Key findings from the report include:
- Pennsylvania ranks 33 out of 48 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 60 per 100,000, marking a 20% improvement over the past five years.
- The state ranks 10 out of 42 in the nation for survival at 28.8%, marking a 27% improvement over the past five years.
- It ranks 20 out of 47 in the nation for early diagnosis at 27.3%, which marks a 10% improvement over the past five years.
- Pennsylvania ranks 8 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 7.4%.
- The state ranks 11 out of 47 in the nation for surgery at 22.5%, which has worsened by 6% over the past five years.
- It ranks 7 out of 47 in the nation for lack of treatment at 16.7%, marking a 16% improvement over the past five years.
- Pennsylvania ranks 27 out of 51 in the nation for adults who currently smoke at 14.4%.
- It ranks 39 out of 51 in the nation for its radon test results compared to the EPA recommended action level at 39.1%.
VanCleave highlighted the urgent need to protect Pennsylvanian workers from daily exposure to harmful chemicals and carcinogens due to legal exemptions allowing indoor smoking in places like truck stops, private clubs, and casinos. She emphasized that these exemptions force workers to choose between their income and health. Van Cleave urged legislators to advance House Bill 1657, which aims to close these indoor air policy loopholes.
The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report underscores the need for Pennsylvania to do more to reduce the burden of lung cancer. The Lung Association encourages everyone to join their efforts by asking their member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4286, the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act.
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