Report Urges Maine to Implement Policies to Increase Biomarker Testing to Help People Living with Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Maine and across the U.S., but the American Lung Association’s 2024 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals positive news. The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in the last five years. The report also presents opportunities for Maine to further improve lung cancer survival by increasing access to screening and biomarker testing.

The organization’s seventh annual “State of Lung Cancer” report highlights how the toll of lung cancer varies by state and examines key indicators throughout the U.S., including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, screening rates and insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.

The report ranked Maine in to top 10 best for Screening, Surgery, and receiving treatment, indicating that a higher percentage of residents were screened, underwent surgery and received some type of treatment than in most other states around the country. Unfortunately, the report also found that the incidence rate for lung cancer in Maine remains high, with the state having the sixth highest incidence rate in the country.

New this year, “State of Lung Cancer” examines health insurance coverage requirements of comprehensive biomarker testing across the U.S. Lung cancer biomarker testing sometimes referred to as tumor, molecular, genomic or genetic testing, looks for changes in the tumor's DNA. The results of the test may show biomarkers that can help determine what treatment options would be best for an individual patient. Insurance coverage of biomarker testing is important for removing a cost barrier to people with lung cancer, but coverage for biomarker testing is only required in some states. The report found that Maine does not require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.  Although both chambers of the Maine Legislature passed legislation requiring coverage earlier this year with bipartisan support, the measure was one of several bills caught up in a legal procedural issue at the end of session and was not signed into law by the governor.  The Lung Association looks forward to working with partners and the Maine Legislature to advance the measure in the 2025 session. 

“Lung cancer is a devastating disease and impacts far too many families in Maine. To address the burden of lung cancer and to help improve the lives of people it impacts, we must continue to evaluate the greatest needs. This report helps us prioritize which areas to focus on to truly make an impact,” said Lance Boucher, Division Assistant Vice President for State Public Policy for the American Lung Association. “This year’s ‘State of Lung Cancer’ report shows that Maine must focus on survival.  Requiring coverage of biomarker testing can bridge the gap we are seeing between the increased rate for survival nationally, 26% over 5 years, to the 10% increase we’ve seen here in Maine. Together, we can make a difference.”

The report found that Maine ranked:

• 44 out of 49 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases at 67.7 per 100,000. The national rate is 53.6 per 100,000.
• 25 out of 47 in the nation for survival at 27.5%. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 28.4%.
• 18 out of 47 in the nation for early diagnosis at 28.2%. Nationally, only 27.4% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 7 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening at 21.2%. 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 16% of those at high risk were screened.
• 9 out of 47 in the nation for surgery at 23.3%. Lung cancer can often be treated with surgery if it is diagnosed at an early stage and has not spread. Nationally, 20.7% of cases underwent surgery.
• 8 out of 47 in the nation for lack of treatment at 16.5%. Nationally, 20.9% of cases receive no treatment.

The 2024 “State of Lung Cancer” report highlights opportunities for states and the federal government to reduce the burden of lung cancer and encourages everyone to help end lung cancer. This year, the American Lung Association calls for the state to implement policies to require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. The Lung Association also calls on Congress to pass the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 4286). 

In addition to addressing biomarkers, the Lung Association is calling on state lawmakers to continue to address leading risk factors that contribute to lung cancer.  Radon exposure and tobacco use are the two leading causes of lung cancer and the rates for both in Maine are higher than the national average.  “One of the most effective policies to reducing tobacco use is to raise the price of cigarettes by increasing the tax by $2 per pack.  It has been 20 years since Maine last raised the cigarette tax and lawmakers need to prioritize this in 2025 to help lower our adult smoking rate below the national average,” said Boucher.  

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Trek Across Maine is coming up on June 13, 2025.  Learn more at TrekAcrossMaine.org