North Carolina ranks near the nationwide average for lung cancer survival rates. The American Lung Association released its annual State of Lung Cancer report, which shows the nationwide five-year lung cancer survival rate at 21.7%, just slightly above North Carolina’s rate of 21.5%. Nationally survivor rates have improved 26% over the last decade. The American Lung Association says early screening correlates to higher survival rates. Nationally only 21.5% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage, with North Carolina at the same rate. North Carolina is screening high-risk patients at a higher rate than the national average, though the state’s rate is only 6% compared to a national average of 4.2%. Only four states reported screening more than 10% of high-risk patients.
State near national average for lung cancer survival
