New Lung Health Barometer reveals large awareness gap about lung cancer in Iowa
Survey data recently released by the American Lung Association’s new Lung Health Barometer shows that only 36% of people know that lung cancer screening is available, and 28% know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women and men. The Lung Association reports this data to raise awareness and kick off activities for Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November. “In Iowa, it is estimated that in 2021, 2,610 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 1,460 will die from the disease,” said Alyssa DePhillips, manager of health promotions at the Lung Association in Iowa. “However, there is hope. The five-year survival rate has increased 33% in the past 10 years thanks to advancements in treatment, research and lifesaving lung cancer screening.” Early detection and treatment of lung cancer translates to higher survival rates. However, only 22% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed early, when the disease is most treatable. Early detection, by low-dose CT screening, can decrease lung cancer mortality by up to 20% among the high-risk population. See more Lung Health Barometer survey results at this link.