BREAKING: A new report from the American Lung Association reveals that Arkansas ranks a concerning 47th among all states for new lung cancer cases. This urgent data comes as part of the “State of Lung Cancer” report published on October 17, 2023, highlighting critical health indicators that impact Arkansans today.
The report shows that Arkansas has 68.2 cases per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average of 52.8 cases per 100,000 people. Alarmingly, only 16.6% of high-risk individuals in the state were screened for lung cancer, trailing the national rate of 18.2%. This is a pressing public health concern as effective screening can reduce lung cancer deaths by up to 20% through early detection.
According to the American Lung Association, individuals at high risk include those aged 50 to 80 with a substantial smoking history. This includes those who have smoked a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years, as well as current smokers and those who quit within the last 15 years.
Laura Turner, the director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, stressed the need for action:
“While this progress gives us hope, early detection and survival rates are far too low in our state. Working to increase awareness and access to lung cancer screening and biomarker testing are critical to saving lives.”
Despite improvements in lung cancer survival and early detection rates over the past decade, Arkansas still lacks vital survival data, as the state does not consistently track diagnoses. This gap underscores the urgent need for better health tracking and resources to combat lung cancer effectively.
The data in this report is based on the most recent figures available from 2022, with no data accessible for 2021 or 2022 regarding survival rates. As this situation develops, residents are urged to prioritize lung cancer screening and to advocate for more comprehensive health tracking in the state.
The urgency of this report cannot be overstated, as Arkansas faces a critical health challenge. Residents are encouraged to share this information with their networks to raise awareness about lung cancer and the importance of early detection. Immediate action is vital to improve health outcomes for those affected by lung cancer in Arkansas.
