The American Lung Association has released its 2024 "State of Lung Cancer" report, highlighting significant disparities in lung cancer survival rates across the United States. Mississippi ranks among the five worst states with a survival rate of 22.9 percent, notably below the national average of 28.4 percent. The state also records one of the highest smoking rates.
The report underscores racial health disparities, indicating that Black residents in Mississippi are less likely to receive surgical treatment despite having high lung cancer rates.
Nationally, there is positive news as the lung cancer survival rate has improved by 26 percent over the past five years due to increased awareness and advancements in detection and treatment.
Opportunities for improvement in Mississippi include increasing access to lung cancer screening and biomarker testing, which can detect disease at an earlier stage when it is more treatable. Calandra Davis, Mississippi advocacy director for the American Lung Association, stated: “Lung cancer is a devastating disease and impacts far too many families in Mississippi. 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.”
This year's report also examines health insurance coverage requirements for comprehensive biomarker testing across the U.S., noting that Mississippi does not mandate insurance coverage for such testing. The association calls for policy changes at both state and federal levels to reduce lung cancer's impact, including urging Congress to pass H.R. 4286, aimed at increasing access to lung cancer screening.
