top of page

National Lung Cancer Statistics

​​

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for nearly as many deaths as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined.  Approximately 20% of new cases occur in people who never smoked or quit many years ago.
 

  • Approximately 234,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the United States.

  • More than 125,000 Americans die from lung cancer annually.


Despite these numbers, lung cancer survival has improved as screening, early detection, and new treatments become more widely available.

1 in19 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer.

Someone is newly diagnosed with lung cancer every 2 - 3 minutes.

Untitled design (8)_edited.png

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death since 1987.

Lung Cancer in Missouri

​Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death in Missouri and continues to affect thousands of families across the state each year.

​Annual Impact

  • Approximately 5,400–5,700 Missourians are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

  • About 3,400–3,500 Missourians die from lung cancer annually.

Incidence Rate

Missouri continues to have one of the highest lung cancer incidence rates in the nation.

  • 68.2 cases per 100,000 people in Missouri

  • 52.8 cases per 100,000 nationally

This places Missouri among the states with highest lung cancer burden nationwide. Only 3 states rank behind Missouri.

  • The rate among black individuals for new lung cancer diagnosis is 73.3 per 100,000 which is much higher than the national average 56.3 per 100,000 for black Americans.

 

  • Rural areas have lower levels of screening access, high smoking prevalence, and high lung cancer mortality.

 

  • Southeastern Missouri has some of the highest rates of lung cancer of any region of Missouri.

 

  • Southeast Region has 65% of the counties in the list of counties in the nation with the highest lung cancer incidence rates.
     

​Addressing disparities in access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment is an important part of improving lung cancer outcomes across Missouri.

​​

Disparities in Missouri

Untitled design (15).png

Radon and Lung Cancer Risk

  • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among non-smokers.

  • Approximately 31–33% of Missouri homes tested have radon levels above the EPA action level.

 

Testing homes and mitigating high radon levels are important steps to reduce lung cancer risk.

​

Lung Cancer Screening Saves Lives

​

Screening eligibility typically includes:

  • Adults ages 50–80

  • A 20 pack-year smoking history

  • Current smokers or those who quit within the past 15 years

Unfortunately, screening remains underused.  Only about 1 in 5 eligible Americans currently receive lung cancer screening.

Increasing screening awareness is one of the most important ways to reduce lung cancer deaths.

Veterans and Lung Cancer

Veterans are at higher risk for lung cancer due to several factors:

  • Higher historical smoking rates

  • Environmental and occupational exposures during service

  • Older average age compared with the general population

Missouri has over 400,000 veterans, many living in rural areas where access to screening and early detection programs may be limited.

Increasing lung cancer screening among veterans is an important strategy to reduce lung cancer deaths.

Moving Forward

Reducing lung cancer deaths in Missouri requires a coordinated effort focused on:

  • Increasing lung cancer screening

  • Reducing tobacco use

  • Addressing radon exposure

  • Improving early detection and treatment access

  • Expanding education and outreach in high-risk communities

Through collaboration among healthcare providers, community organizations, and public health partners, Missouri can improve outcomes for individuals at risk for lung cancer.

How the Missouri Lung Cancer Coalition is Helping

The Missouri Lung Cancer Coalition works with healthcare providers, public health agencies, and community organizations across the state to:

  • Increase lung cancer screening awareness

  • Promote radon testing and mitigation

  • Support patients and caregivers

  • Expand community education and outreach

  • Reduce lung cancer stigma


Through collaboration and education, we aim to reduce lung cancer deaths and improve outcomes for Missourians at risk.
 

​

​

bottom of page