Lung cancer survival rates rise, including among people of color : Shots

A doctor assesses a radio surgery treatment plan for a patient with lung cancer, using a 4D CAT scan. Lung cancer survival rates have increased lately.

Ryan McFadden/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Survival rates for lung cancer are improving, especially among historically marginalized communities of color, according to a new survey from the American Lung Association released Tuesday.

The findings are a bright note amid deepening racial disparities in many areas in health care.

The five-year lung cancer survival rate increased by 22% in the five years between 2015 to 2019. It currently stands at 26.6% across all racial and ethnic groups. Among people of color, the survival rate increased by 17% in just two years (2017-2019), and now stands at 23.7%.

The survey results were “unexpected,” says Zach Jump, director of epidemiology and statistics for the American Lung Association, adding that the speed with which racial disparities appear to be closing is remarkable.

“We are encouraged by the work being done to eliminate lung cancer stigma, increase lung cancer screening and improve lung cancer treatment,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association in a statement.

Lung cancer is still the cancer that kills the most Americans, with 127,000 deaths last year. People of color tend to be diagnosed at later stages than their white counterparts, and are less likely to get access to treatments like surgery, which historically have reduced their likelihood of survival.

Survival improvements are not equal across all the races and some disparities still exist. The white survival rate is 25%, but the…