Improving Lung Cancer Survival Rates: The Overlooked Solution

The five-year survival rate for lung cancer in the US has increased by 22% over the past five years, but experts say that more people need to get tested for the disease. Racial disparities in treatment and survival still exist, with Black and Latino patients having lower survival rates compared to White patients. Asians and Pacific Islanders are more likely to receive surgical treatment and have higher survival rates. Lung cancer screening can reduce the death rate by up to 20%, but only about 4.5% of high-risk individuals get screened. The American Cancer Society has expanded its screening recommendations, and experts are optimistic that screening rates will improve. Smoking cessation and reducing exposure to radon and particle pollution are also important in preventing lung cancer.