CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has the second highest rates in the nation for new lung cancer cases and the worst in the nation for adults who smoke, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the American Lung Association.
The 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that West Virginia ranks 47th in the nation for new lung cancer cases and 51st for the number of adults who are currently smoking.
Michael Seilback, National Assistant Vice President for State Public Policy with American Lung Association, told MetroNews the data proves that more work needs to be done to reduce the burden of lung cancer.
“We need to make sure that we’re investing in state programs that can help current users quit their addiction to tobacco and prevent another generation from starting,” he said.
The report found that West Virginia ranked poorly for lung cancer survival at 22.4 percent. There were 37 out of 42 states that measured for this indicator. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 26.6 percent.
Seilback said despite the low ranking for West Virginia, there has been some progress nationally over the past five years.
“There was a 23 percent improvement over the last five years in lung cancer survival,” he said.
Seilback said it’s no surprise that smoking is still the leading risk factor for lung cancer. About 22 percent of West Virginia adults currently smoke, which is the worst in the nation. Nationally, 13.5 percent of adults smoke.
Seilback said that’s why they’re urging more people to quit, even though he understands it’s not an easy task.
“Each attempt, even when not successful, is a learning lesson. It’s a chance to really improve your health,” he said.
The association is calling on state lawmakers to increase funding to tobacco control and prevention efforts. Seilback said they’re also working to increase access to treatment and screenings.
“If you are somebody between the ages of 50-80 and you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, you should talk to your physician and see if you might be eligible for a lung cancer screening,” he said.
According to the report, Utah has the nation’s best lung cancer rate while Kentucky has the worst at almost 2.4 times the incidence rate of Utah. Over the last five years, the rate of new cases decreased 8 percent nationally.
To view the full report, CLICK HERE.