By the numbers: Lung cancer

The most common form of cancer, early detection is key.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Already one of the most common forms of cancer, lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death.

Early detection is key. If caught early — before the cancer has spread — the five-year survival rate increases three-fold.

Unfortunately, only 16 percent of lung cancer cases are detected in this early stage.

Could you or a loved one benefit from a low-dose CT lung screening, the only way to catch lung cancer early and before symptoms begin to show.

235,760

Estimated new lung cancer cases in the United State in 2021

131,880

Estimated lung cancer deaths in the United State in 2021

13

Percentage of lung cancer cases among all new cancer cases

1 in 4

Lung cancer deaths among all cancer-related deaths

18.6

Average five-year survival rate, the lowest among all forms of cancer

56

Five-year survival rate if lung cancer is caught early, still localized to the lungs

16

Percentage of lung cancer cases caught early

80

Percentage of lung cancer cases caused by smoking

2.3

Yearly decline in rate of new lung cancer cases