Connecticut
Requires Coverage of Comprehensive Biomarker Testing
Yes
Highlighted Disparity
Asian or Pacific Islander individuals in Connecticut are least likely to be diagnosed early
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases in Connecticut is 54.4 and significantly higher than the national rate of 52.8.
- Connecticut ranks 27th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases in Connecticut improved by 10%.
- In 2022, the most recent year of data available for this report, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to disrupt access to medical care, including delays and reductions in cancer diagnoses and screening. This led to a decline in incidence rates for most cancers, including lung cancer, and should not be interpreted as a reduction in the underlying cancer burden.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in Connecticut is 36.5%, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 29.7%.
- It ranks 2nd among the 39 states with survival data, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in Connecticut improved by 27%.
Early Diagnosis:
- In Connecticut, 34.4% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 28.1%.
- It ranks 4th among the 50 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in Connecticut improved by 9%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- Connecticut ranked 6th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 24.4% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 20.7% and puts Connecticut in the above average tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in Connecticut did not change significantly.
Biomarker Coverage:
- Connecticut was one of the 17 states that required insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, including for lung cancer, as of August 2025.
No Treatment:
- Connecticut ranked 5th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 16.0% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 21.0% and puts Connecticut in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in Connecticut did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In Connecticut, 27.0% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly higher than the national rate of 18.2%.
- It ranks 2nd among all states, placing it in the top tier.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The 2023 smoking rate in Connecticut is 8.4% and significantly lower than the national rate of 11.4%.
- It ranks 2nd among all states, placing it in the above average tier.
Radon:
- In Connecticut, 25.8% of radon test results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 29th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black individuals:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 52.5 per 100,000 population among Black individuals in Connecticut, not significantly different than the rate of 54.2 among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 56.7 among white individuals in Connecticut.
- The five-year survival rate is 34.0% among Black individuals in Connecticut, significantly higher than the rate of 27.1% among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 36.8% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 29.6% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black individuals in Connecticut, significantly higher than the rate of 25.1% among Black individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 35.3% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 19.9% of Black individuals with lung cancer in Connecticut underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 17.1% among Black individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 24.7% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 17.8% of Black individuals with lung cancer in Connecticut did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 22.7% among Black individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 16.0% among white individuals in Connecticut.
Latino individuals:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 40.1 per 100,000 population among Latino individuals in Connecticut, significantly higher than the rate of 27.9 among Latino individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 56.7 among white individuals in Connecticut.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Latino individuals at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Latino individuals is 22.7%, not significantly different than the rate of 25.0% among white individuals.
- 28.1% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latino individuals in Connecticut, significantly higher than the rate of 23.9% among Latino individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 35.3% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 24.5% of Latino individuals with lung cancer in Connecticut underwent surgery, significantly higher than the rate of 21.4% among Latino individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 24.7% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 14.6% of Latino individuals with lung cancer in Connecticut did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 25.8% among Latino individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 16.0% among white individuals in Connecticut.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 26.6 per 100,000 population among Asian or Pacific Islanders individuals in Connecticut, significantly lower than the rate of 32.5 among Asian or Pacific Islanders individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 56.7 among white individuals in Connecticut.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Asian or Pacific Islander individuals at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals is 28.6% and significantly higher than the rate of 25.0% among white individuals.
- 26.1% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals in Connecticut, not significantly different than the rate of 23.7% among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 35.3% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 28.1% of Asian or Pacific Islander individuals with lung cancer in Connecticut underwent surgery, not significantly different than the rate of 24.7% among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 24.7% among white individuals in Connecticut.
- 12.6% of Asian or Pacific Islander individuals with lung cancer in Connecticut did not receive any treatment, significantly lower than the rate of 19.8% among Asian or Pacific Islander individuals nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 16.0% among white individuals in Connecticut.
Indigenous Peoples:
- Lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in Connecticut due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
Despite the early diagnosis rate in Connecticut falling into the top tier, the state still has a lot of work to do to make sure that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.
Connecticut was one of the states that required insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing, which can help determine what treatment options would be best for individuals with lung cancer and other diseases.
Connecticut falls into the top tier for percent of patients receiving no treatment. Some patients do refuse treatment, but issues such as fatalism and stigma can prevent eligible patients from accessing treatment that may save or extend their lives. All patients should work with their doctors to establish a treatment plan and goals.
Page last updated: October 1, 2025