Report: Georgia ‘failing' to battle lung cancer

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The state of Georgia is failing to make progress in the battle against lung cancer, says the Lung Cancer Alliance in Georgia’s fourth annual report card.

LCA-GA gave the state four Fs and two Ds in six categories in its 4th Annual Report Card on Lung Cancer issued Wednesday. No grade was above a "D" for the fourth straight year, they said.

"Despite these alarming statistics, the Georgia Legislature and Georgia Cancer Coalition are still ignoring lung cancer and its impact on citizens throughout the state," said Ed Levitt, LCA-GA Chair in a statement. "State funding for lung cancer prevention, early detection, better treatments and research must increase if we are going to see a reduction in mortality rates in Georgia."

The number of deaths from lung cancer remains unacceptable, earning the state an F. And there has been no progress in the area of 5-year survival rates, as well as no progress in the number of late-stage diagnosis.

Only 16 percent of lung cancer is diagnosed early, compared to 61 percent of breast cancer, 91 percent of prostate cancers and 39 percent of colon cancers, reports LCA-GA.

With over 11,300 new daily smokers under the age of 18, the state also received an F in the area of number of newly addicted youth.

There has been some slight progress in state supported research, so LCA-GA gave the state a D-plus, but because the state cancer plan commitment is not comprehensive, that area received a D-minus.

"The problem is clear and it is time to make a change," concluded Levitt. "LCA-GA will ensure that Georgia and its outstanding hospitals and research centers play a major role in the effort to improve lung cancer outcomes."

LCA-GA provides patient support and advocacy for those living with or at risk for lung cancer in the state of Georgia.

They report that lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths nationally, as well as among Georgian men and women, resulting in 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the state. This year alone, 6,150 Georgians will be diagnosed and 4,660 will die from the disease -- more than the combined total of breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

For more information or to view the complete report card, visit www.lungcanceralliance.org/ga.