JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The American Lung Association in Mississippi released the 2025 “State of Lung Cancer” report.

According to the association, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Mississippi and across the United States. The report found that Mississippi is the third worst in the nation for new lung cancer cases and the third worst for survival five years after being diagnosed.

The report found that Mississippi ranks:

• 49 out of 51 in the nation for rate of new lung cancer cases, at 68.66 per 100,000. The national rate is 52.8 per 100,000.
• 37 out of 39 in the nation for survival, at 24.1%. The national rate of people alive five years after a lung cancer diagnosis is 29.7%.
• 29 out of 50 in the nation for early diagnosis, at 28.2%. Nationally, only 28.1% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage when the survival rate is much higher.
• 40 out of 51 in the nation for lung cancer screening, at 14.8%. Lung cancer screening with annual low-dose CT scans for people at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20%. Nationally, only 18.2% of people at high risk were screened.
• 45 out of 49 in the nation for surgery as first course of treatment, at 15.1%. Lung cancer can often be treated with surgery if it is diagnosed at an early stage and has not spread. Nationally, 20.7% of cases underwent surgery.
• 29 out of 49 in the nation for lack of treatment, at 20.8%. Nationally, 21% of cases receive no treatment.
• 46 out of 51 in the nation for smoking, at 15.6%.

“In the last decade, we have seen incredible progress, including increases in lung cancer survival and early detection rates. While this means that more people are living longer after a lung cancer diagnosis, sadly that’s not the case in Mississippi” said Calandra Davis, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association. “While this progress gives us hope, early detection and survival rates are far too low in our state. Working to increase awareness and access to lung cancer screening and biomarker testing are critical to saving lives. This is why the state must step in to ensure their residents have access to the best lung cancer care.”

The report also examined insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing across the U.S. Lung cancer biomarker testing looks for changes in the tumor’s DNA. The report found that Mississippi does not require insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.