Burden of Lung Cancer
The impact of the disease on states as measured by the key indicators.
Comprehensive Biomarker Testing Insurance Requirements
Whether a state requires all healthcare plans to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, provides some coverage (either some plans or coverage is not comprehensive), or does not cover at all.
Early Diagnosis
The percent of lung cancer cases diagnosed at an early stage, before the tumor has spread. See Stage at Diagnosis.
High Risk
Those at high risk for lung cancer and recommended for annual screening with low dose CT scan are defined as:
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50-80 years of age (Medicare coverage goes up to age 77)
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Have a 20 pack-year history (1 pack/day for 20 years, 2 packs/day for 10 years)
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AND, are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years
This criteria for high risk is set by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF). There are other risk factors to consider as well, such as exposure to radon gas, air pollution and secondhand smoke, and sometimes a person is genetically pre-disposed to be at risk for lung cancer. However, “high risk” in this report is defined by the criteria set by USPSTF.
Key Indicators
The factors measured for this report: new cases, early diagnosis, survival, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, screening among those at high risk and insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.
Lack of Treatment
The percentage of patients who did not receive any form of treatment for lung cancer after their diagnosis.
New Cases
The number of new lung cancer cases diagnosed each year per 100,000 people. An incidence rate of 61.2 per 100,000 in North Carolina (population 10 million) would mean about 7,100 new cases were diagnosed in that state each year.
It is important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to medical care. This resulted in a drop in cancer diagnoses for the year 2020, particularly for cancers diagnosed before symptoms develop (including lung cancer). This drop reflects changes in medical care for 2020 and should not necessarily be interpreted as a reduction in the underlying cancer burden.
Screening Rate
The percentage of those at high risk for lung cancer who were screened using low dose CT in 2024.
Smoking Rate
Smoking rates are the percentage of adults who have ever smoked 100 or more cigarettes and currently smoke on some days or all days.
Stage at Diagnosis
Lung cancer stage is determined by a combination of factors: where the lung cancer cells are located, the size of the lung cancer tumor and if and where the lung cancer has spread. Cases described as diagnosed at an early stage are generally equivalent to stage I. Cases described as diagnosed at a late stage are generally equivalent to stage IV.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery for lung cancer involves removing part of or the entire lung to get rid of the tumor/diseased lung tissue and indicates that lung cancer was caught early and unlikely to have spread.
Survival Rate
The percentage of people living five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Tier
How the rate for a state compares to the national rate and other states. Top tier is the best and bottom tier is the worst.