Evaluation of State Cancer Plans Using 10 Key Metrics for Lung Cancer

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

GO2 CCC Lung Score

<55%
55-69%
70-84%
85-100%

State comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans serve as a guide on how states address the burden of cancer in their area.

These plans include area-specific data about the most common types of cancer and mortality rates. The states or organizations develop strategies to create a blueprint for action. The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that state cancer plans have overarching goals, measurable outcomes towards these goals, identified strategies to advance them, and a plan for evaluating the outcomes. The CDC also recommends stakeholder involvement and a commitment to reducing cancer disparities.

Analysis Methodology

In an analysis of all state CCC plans, GO2 for Lung Cancer identified plans with gaps in lung cancer-specific objectives and strategies and plans that included best practice language. State plans were evaluated on the following 10 key criteria that address the burden of lung cancer and are consistent with best practice criteria included in the Centers of Excellence designation program. Plans were then given a weighted average, CCC Lung Plan Score, based on the findings.

Evaluation Criteria

The plans were evaluated on the following inclusion criteria:

  • lung cancer-specific goals and objectives*
  • up-to-date or within a current plan cycle
  • current United States Preventive Taskforce (USPSTF) lung cancer screening recommendation*
  • lung cancer-specific biomarker testing for treatment*
  • smoking cessation goals or aims and resources
  • risk factors other than smoking (radon, secondhand smoke, environmental, occupational exposures)
  • lung cancer disparities*
  • information on clinical trials
  • information on palliative and hospice care
  • person-first language, as defined by the ACS Inclusivity Language Guide

*These criteria were weighted double because they are specific to lung cancer.

Check out the map above to see how your state plan compares.

3 Key Lung Cancer Metrics in Cancer Plans

Percentage of CCC Plans That Include Current USPSTF Lung Cancer Screening Criteria

As of December 2024, over half (53%) of states do not include the current USPSTF recommendation for lung cancer screening.

As of December 2024, 18% of states do not include lung cancer screening goals, objectives, or strategies.

Percentage of CCC Plans That Include Lung Cancer Screening Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
Percentage of CCC Plans That Include Lung Cancer Screening Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

As of December 2024, 18% of states do not include lung cancer screening goals, objectives, or strategies.

Percentage of CCC Plans That Include Information on Lung Cancer Biomarkers for Treatment

As of December 2024, almost 90% (86%) of state cancer plans do not include information on lung cancer biomarker/genetic testing.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths.

In 2025, it is estimated that more people will die from lung cancer than from breast and colorectal cancers combined. Nonetheless, plans often prioritize breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers, frequently grouping lung cancer into smoking cessation efforts. Just because state CCC plans mention lung cancer does not mean they necessarily have a detailed strategy for addressing it. States play a critical role in overcoming lung cancer mortality.

What can you do to help?

Contact your local CCC representative to get involved with your state cancer plan lung cancer committee and advocate for the:

  • Current USPSTF lung cancer screening recommendations in your state’s cancer plan;
  • information on biomarker testing for lung cancer treatments; and
  • lung cancer-specific goals and objectives.

GO2 will provide future updates.

State Cancer Plan Links, Contact, and Data 

View your state’s CCC plan using the links below. If you are interested in advocating for comprehensive lung cancer objectives and strategies in your state, please refer to the contact information listed for each state.

GO2 has also compiled state lung cancer screening and smoking rates to assist when drafting and/or revising lung cancer goals and objectives.

To view how your state cancer plan measures and what you can advocate to include in the next cancer plan, download the full data set here.

State GO2 CCC Score Plan Link Contact Information
Alabama 61% View Plan Alabama Department of Public Health Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
334-206-5300
1-800-252-1818
Alaska 23% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Alaska Division of Public Health Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
907-269-2020
(Press 2)
Arizona 38% View Plan Arizona Cancer Control Program Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease
602-364-0824
Arkansas 59% View Plan Arkansas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Arkansas Department of Health
501-661-2495
California 88% View Plan California Dialogue on Cancer Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch California Department of Public Health
916-731-2528
Colorado 93% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Program Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
303-692-2520
Connecticut 77% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Connecticut Department of Public Health
860-509-7804
Delaware 45% View Plan Cancer Prevention and Control Program Division of Public Health
302-744-1020
Florida 48% View Plan Florida Department of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
850-245-4330
Georgia 75% View Plan Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Division of Public Health Georgia Department of Community Health
404-657-6315
Hawaii 66% View Plan Chronic Disease Management and Control Branch Hawaii Department of Health
808-692-7480
Idaho 55% View Plan Idaho Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Bureau of Community and Environmental Health Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
208-332-7344
Illinois 79% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Illinois Department of Public Health
217-782-3300
Indiana 91% View Plan Indiana Cancer Consortium
317-234-2945
Iowa 98% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Iowa Department of Public Health
515-281-0925
Kansas 77% View Plan Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Program Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Health Promotion, Cancer Section
785-296-1207
785-296-5868
Kentucky 100% View Plan Kentucky Cancer Consortium Community Programs Division University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Control Program
859-323-3534
Louisiana 61% View Plan Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
1-888-599-1073
Maine 64% View Plan Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, DHHS
207-287-4321
Maryland 64% View Plan Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Center for Cancer Prevention and Control
410-767-0804
Massachusetts 48% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Program Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Massachusetts Department of Public Health
617-624-5479
Michigan 77% View Plan Michigan Cancer Consortium Cancer Prevention and Control Section Michigan Department of Community Health
517-373-3740
Minnesota 54% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division Minnesota Department of Health
651-201-3605
Mississippi 16% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Division of Health Promotion
601-576-7781
Missouri 70% View Plan Cancer Control Unit Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
573-522-2851
Montana 68% View Plan Cancer Control Program Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
406-444-6888
Nebraska 75% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
402-471-4411
Nevada 46% View Plan Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Access to Healthcare Network
775-284-8989
New Hampshire 23% View Plan NH Cancer Collaboration Bureau of Population Health and Community Services New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services
603-415-4524
New Jersey 61% View Plan Office of Cancer Control and Prevention New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
609-292-2204
New Mexico 48% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program New Mexico Department of Health
505-841-5860
New York 57% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control New York State Department of Health
518-474-1222
1-866-442-2262
North Carolina 64% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
919-707-5300
North Dakota 41% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program North Dakota Department of Health
701-328-2596
Ohio 79% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Ohio Department of Health
614-728-7418
Oklahoma 75% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Chronic Disease Division Oklahoma State Department of Health
405-271-4072
ext. 57117
Oregon 43% View Plan Oregon Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Oregon Department of Human Services
971-673-0984
Pennsylvania 50% View Plan Cancer Prevention and Control Programs Cancer Prevention and Control Section Pennsylvania Department of Health
717-787-5251
Rhode Island 84% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Rhode Island Department of Health
401-222-5960
South Carolina 34% View Plan Division of Cancer Prevention and Control South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
803-898-1602
South Dakota 63% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program c/o St. Mary's Foundation
605-224-3595
Tennessee 54% View Plan Tennessee Cancer Coalition Office of Cancer Surveillance Tennessee Department of Health
615-741-1638
Texas 55% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Chronic Disease Prevention Branch MC 1945
512-458-7111
Utah 45% View Plan Utah Cancer Action Network Utah Department of Health
801-538-6233
1-800-717-1811
Vermont 61% View Plan Vermont Department of Health
802-865-7706
Virginia 79% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Virginia Department of Health
804-864-7879
804-864-7877
Washington 13% View Plan Comprehensive Cancer Control Washington State Department of Health
360-236-3785
Washington DC 73% View Plan District of Columbia Department of Health Bureau of Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention Primary Care and Prevention Administration Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
202-442-9170
West Virginia 64% View Plan West Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Program
304-558-0644
Wisconsin 30% View Plan Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative Department of Health and Family Services
608-265-9322
Wyoming 52% View Plan Wyoming Cancer Coalition Wyoming Department of Health
307-777-8609

If you have any questions or updates, please get in touch with Sydney Burchell at sburchell@go2.org.

Resources

GO2 has compiled evidence-based, best practice resources based on GO2’s COE designation program, with sections that address lung cancer prevention, screening and early detection, health equity, quality of life, treatment, and state policies.

Download Resources

Information and plans are based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program page and current as of December 2024.