Evaluation of State Cancer Plans Using 10 Key Metrics for Lung Cancer
GO2 CCC Lung Score
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.
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.
Information and plans are based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program page and current as of December 2024.