Report Finds that Ohio’s Black Community is Least Likely to Receive Surgical Treatment for Lung Cancer

According to the American Lung Association’s 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report, Black individuals in Ohio are least likely to receive surgical treatment after they’re diagnosed with lung cancer, and the state ranks poorly nationally in survival rates, as well.

The report reveals that there is more work to do to address surgical treatment in Ohio to make sure that no one is left behind in efforts to improve lung cancer survival.

The 6th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Ohio and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.

The report also found that Ohio ranked 42nd in new cases of lung cancer and 45 out of 51 in adult smoking.

“Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Ohio and across the nation, and our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do to get Black individuals the surgical treatment they need to survive,” said Ken Fletcher, Advocacy Director at the American Lung Association.

The report found that Ohio ranked:

• 42 out of 48 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 65.1 per 100,000. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000.
• 30 out of 42 in the nation for survival at 24.4%. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6%.
• 26 out of 47 in the nation for early diagnosis at 26.6%. Nationally, only 26.6% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 16 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 6.9%. Lung cancer screening with annual low-dose CT scans for those at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20%. Nationally, only 4.5% of those at high risk were screened.
• 23 out of 47 in the nation for surgery at 20.2%. Lung cancer can often be treated with surgery if it is diagnosed at an early stage and has not spread. Nationally, 20.8% of cases underwent surgery.
• 6 out of 47 in the nation for lack of treatment at 16.3%. Nationally, 20.6% of cases receive no treatment.

The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report highlights that Ohio must do more to reduce the burden of lung cancer and encourages everyone to help end lung cancer. Join the Lung Association’s efforts by asking your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4286, the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act at Lung.org/SOLC.

Nationally, the “State of Lung Cancer” report found that lung cancer survival rates are improving for everyone, including people of color. In fact, 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.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb in Cleveland is coming up on March 3 at Key Tower. Learn more at FightForAirClimb.org/Cleveland.