New Jersey is recognized as one of the leading states for aggressive lung cancer treatment with surgery, boasting high survival rates. This information comes from a report by the American Lung Association, which also highlights that the five-year lung cancer survival rate has seen a significant increase of 22% in the five years between 2015 to 2019. The survival rate now stands at 26.6% across all racial and ethnic groups.
However, the report also reveals that the state lags in early diagnoses, with less than 3% of the population assessed annually for the disease. This places New Jersey at 38th for the prevalence of lung cancer screening. The survival rates for lung cancer could potentially be higher if more people at high-risk received annual low-dose CT scans, which are an effective way to catch the disease early.
Racial disparities in care were also noted in the report. Black New Jerseyans and those from the Pacific Islands are less likely to receive treatment compared to white patients. In an effort to reduce these racial disparities in screening and treatment, the state is seeking to implement mobile testing.
In 2020, more than 3,100 New Jersey residents died of lung cancer, with death rates varying significantly by county. Among people of color, the survival rate increased by 17% in just two years (2017-2019), and now stands at 23.7%.
While the survival rates are improving, especially among historically marginalized communities of color, the low screening rates still leave many people at risk. The state is actively working towards reducing these disparities and improving early detection and treatment of lung cancer.