The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative released the 2024 Lung Health Barometer, a nationally representative survey that assesses awareness, attitudes, and beliefs about lung cancer. The results of the recently released survey mark the 8th year of the Lung Health Barometer survey, conducted by the Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative. This initiative ties individuals impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers across the country to work together against lung cancer.

The 2024 Lung Health Barometer surveyed 4,000 individuals across the United States about lung health and lung cancer. Key findings reveal that only 28% of Americans knew that lung cancer is the principal cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, only 10% of adults believed that lung cancer is among the most likely cancers to affect women, while 35% thought that it was among those likely to affect men. Of those surveyed, only 38% were aware that lifesaving lung cancer screening is now available for those at high risk, and 70% of survey respondents agreed that they felt hopeful that the outcomes for those impacted by lung cancer enhanced over the past decade. The majority of respondents, representing 73% of adults, had not discussed their risk for lung cancer with their primary healthcare provider, and only 42% were concerned about getting lung cancer. Survey results also revealed that only 15% of respondents were aware that the survival rates of lung cancer augmented by over 50% in the past decade.

Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, stated, “The American Lung Association's new survey provides a critical look at public awareness and attitudes regarding lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.” He added, “This data provides crucial information to help us in our commitment to reduce the burden of lung cancer. The survey shows that we have a significant amount of work to do in increasing awareness about lung cancer screening, but also shows progress. Compared to our 2022 Lung Health Barometer, we saw a 27% increase in awareness of lung cancer screening.”

The American Lung Association indicates that greater awareness about lung cancer is critical to securing research funding, encouraging lung cancer screening, and diminishing the stigmas associated with lung cancer.

More information regarding the survey results can be found at www.lung.org/lung-force/lung-health-barometer.

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