The number of new cases of lung cancer decreased over the last 5 years, but screening rates are still low, according to a report published by the American Lung Association (ALA). Researchers from the ALA examined the incidence of lung cancer in 2022, focusing on lung cancer screening, treatment, and survival rates. About 237,000 people were expected at the time to be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, with the rate of new cases varying by state, from the lowest rate in Utah to the highest in Kentucky. The number of new cases decreased 11% nationally over the last 5 years. The national average of people alive at 5 years after lung cancer diagnosis is 25%, which represents an improvement of 21% over the last 5 years. Nationally, only 26% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage, and 44% are not diagnosed until a late stage. During the last 5 years, early diagnosis rates increased 17%.
