The American Lung Association states that while lung cancer survival rates in the United States are improving, some racial groups are still being disproportionately affected by the illness.
The average five-year survival rate climbed to nearly 24% from 14.5 percent in its fourth annual “State of Lung Cancer” study, although it remains around 20% for persons of color generally and 18% for Black Americans.
According to Harold Wimmer, national president, and CEO for the lung association, “The report highlights important news — more people are surviving lung cancer however, it also underscores the fact that, sadly, health disparities persist for communities of color.”
He added in a lung association news release “Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a full and healthy life, so more must be done to address these health disparities.”
Disparities were not limited to race, with substantial variations observed among states: Connecticut had the greatest overall survival rate (almost 29 percent), while Alabama had the lowest (just over 18 percent).
Only 24% of cases are found early, when the five-year survival rate is substantially higher (60%), whereas 46% are not detected until late when the survival rate is only 6%. Massachusetts (30%) has the best early diagnosis rate, while Hawaii has the worst (19 percent).
Lung cancer screening using yearly low-dose CT scans can cut lung cancer mortality rates by up to 20% for people at high risk, but only around 6% of those at high risk get tested.
Massachusetts has the highest screening rate (about 18%), while California and Wyoming have the lowest (less than 1%).
According to the data, slightly over 21% of all patients receive no care. While certain causes for non-treatment are inevitable, according to the organization, no patient should go untreated because of a lack of information, a health care provider’s stigma, the expense of therapy, or fatalism following diagnosis.
According to the survey, individuals of color had poorer results than white people, including a lower probability of being detected early and undergoing surgery, as well as a higher likelihood of receiving no therapy.
While lung cancer screening is covered by Medicaid fee-for-service programmes in 40 states, seven programmes do not, and three states do not have information on their coverage policy.
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