Survey data released recently show that only 36 percent of people know that lung cancer screening is available and 29 percent know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men. Today, the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative released the 2021 Lung Health Barometer, as it recognizes the start of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

“Here in Pennsylvania and across the nation, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer. It is estimated that in 2021, 11,170 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 6,140 will die from the disease,” said Lance Boucher, Division Assistant Vice President – East, at the Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “However, there is hope. The five-year survival rate has increased 33 percent in the past 10 years, thanks to advancements in treatment, research and lifesaving lung cancer screening.”

The 2021 Lung Health Barometer surveyed 4,000 Americans nationwide about lung health and lung cancer. Some key findings show that:

• 29 percent of Americans know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men, which is an 8 percent increase from the 2020 Lung Health Barometer.

• Only 10 percent of adults understand that lung cancer is among the most likely cancers to affect women, while 35 percent know that it is among those cancers most likely to affect men.

• Only 36 percent of respondents know that lung cancer screening is now available for early detection of the disease for those who are high risk.

Throughout Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Lung Association will be sharing new resources, the State of Lung Cancer Report (Nov. 16), inspiring patient stories and lifesaving lung cancer screening information. In addition, through the Lung Association’s Lung Cancer Patient Meetup on the Go program, the organization is offering several webinars and plans to share recordings of the webinars in November. Learn more at www.lung.org/patient-meetup.

This is the sixth year of the Lung Health Barometer, which is conducted by the Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative. LUNG FORCE unites the nation to stand together for lung health and against lung cancer.

For media interested in scheduling an interview with a lung cancer expert, contact Val Gleason at 717-971-1123 or Val.Gleason@Lung.org.

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