American Lung Association’s Chief Mission Officer Discusses ‘State of Lung Cancer’ Report

Deborah Brown, Chief Mission Officer for the American Lung Association, joined Lung Cancers Today to discuss the association’s latest “State of Lung Cancer” report and key findings.

One of the major findings of the report is that over the past five years, the national average five-year survival rate for lung cancer increased by 26%. Brown said she believes this is related to multiple factors, including expanded screening eligibility, advancements in research, and biomarker testing.

Biomarker testing is a critical piece of the equation, she said, explaining that for the first time, this year’s report examined insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing across the US.

“Insurance coverage for this is extremely important because it removes the cost barrier so that people with lung cancer can get the biomarker testing,” Brown said. “But right now, coverage for biomarker testing is only required in some states. The ‘State of Lung Cancer’ report found that only 15 states require insurance coverage for comprehensive biomarker marker testing, 5 states require some plans to cover it, and there are 30 states and Washington, DC, that have yet to require any type of coverage for this biomarker testing.”

Brown emphasized that “it’s really important to be able to make sure everyone has access, and everyone utilizes biomarker testing.” To address this, the American Lung Association is “calling for all states to implement policies to require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing,” she said.

Beyond biomarker testing, the report examined lung cancer screening throughout the United States. With the United States Preventive Services Task Force expanding its lung cancer screening recommendation to include a larger age range and more people who currently and formerly smoked, Brown emphasized it’s critical for clinicians to be aware of the criteria so “they can make it a point to have discussions with patients who are eligible for the screening.”

“Lung cancer screening saves lives, there is no doubt,” Brown said. “The report tracks lung cancer screening nationally and by state. In 2023, only 16% of individuals who were eligible to be screened were screened. Rhode Island had the best screening rate at 28.6%. Wyoming had the worst at 8.6%.”

Brown explained that the report has been examining lung cancer screening rates for multiple years, but due to the use of a new data source this year, it’s important to recognize that the lung cancer screening rate figures are not directly comparable between reports. However, with the lung cancer screening rate at only 16% in 2023, the American Lung Association is “calling on Congress to pass the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act,” she explained.

The report also evaluates new cases of lung cancer, with this year’s report showing that nearly 235,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. However, the rate of new cases has decreased by 15% nationally over the last five years. Kentucky has the highest incidence rate of lung cancer in the nation, with nearly 2.4 times the incidence rate of Utah, which has the lowest rate of lung cancer.

“Individuals can go in and look at this report and see where their state stands,” Brown said.

In addition, the report highlighted that the early diagnosis rate has increased by 11% over the past five years to 27%. Early diagnosis is critical for outcomes, as the five-year survival rate is 64% when lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, but 43% of cancers are not caught until a late stage, when the survival rate is only 9%.

“Lung cancer can often be treated with surgery if it’s diagnosed at an early stage and hasn’t spread,” Brown said, noting that the report showed 20.7% of lung cancer cases were treated with surgery.

However, the report showed that more than one-fifth (20.9%) of patients with lung cancer did not receive any treatment.

“With all of the knowledge that we have about lung cancer now and all the work that’s being done, we really need individuals to be able to be screened and then be able to access the type of treatment that they need,” Brown said.

The report also evaluated and identified disparities in lung cancer, Brown explained. “People of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes when compared to white individuals,” she explained. “People of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer are less likely to be diagnosed early. They’re less likely to be alive five years after diagnosis. They are less likely to receive surgical treatment and more likely to receive no treatment. We have so much work to do to eliminate lung cancer health disparities.”

With the release of the report coinciding with Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Brown reflected on what she wants others to know about lung cancer.

“It’s really important for everyone to be able to understand that anyone can get lung cancer and no one deserves lung cancer,” Brown said. “I think that it’s really important to understand where the resources are located and what resources are located. Since 2014, there have been more than 60 new lung cancer therapies approved by the United States FDA. We are providing life and hope to those living with disease.”

She also highlighted key resources that the American Lung Association offers health care providers and patients with lung cancer, including support groups, a lung cancer helpline, a navigation program, and more.

“One of our staff will help with any questions or concerns an individual or caregiver has and then help them navigate through the system,” Brown said. “We’ll even help them set up appointments and make sure transportation is available. If they don’t have insurance, we’ll help see if there’s a way for them to be able to get some type of coverage… We don’t want people to feel that they’re going through this alone.”

Visit www.lung.org to learn more about the resources and support that the American Lung Association offers for patients, caregivers, and providers.

Source: State of Lung Cancer | American Lung Association