Evaluation of state cancer plans using 3 key metrics for lung cancer
State comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans serve as a guide on how states confront 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 goals, objectives, strategies, stakeholder involvement, a method for reducing cancer disparities, and a plan for evaluating desired outcomes.
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 key criteria that looked at whether lung cancer strategies, objectives, and goals were included, if the cancer plan was up-to-date or within a current plan cycle, and if the plan used the updated 2021 lung cancer screening recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Check out the map above to see how your state plan measures and if current USPSTF lung cancer screening criteria are included.
The analysis showed more than half (>60%) of state plans did not include current criteria for lung cancer screening (USPSTF 2021), a surprising 12% omitted lung cancer as an objective, and 29% of states were dated and out of plan cycle.
3 Key Lung Cancer Metrics in Cancer Plans
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.
As of December 2024, almost 90% (86%) of state cancer plans do not include information on lung cancer biomarker/genetic testing.
Percentage of CCC plans that follow current USPSTF lung cancer screening criteria
As of October 2023, almost 3/4 of states do not include the current USPSTF criteria for lung cancer screening. GO2 will include future updates.
Lung cancer is the leading cause cancer death in the United States
In 2020 alone, more people died of lung cancer than breast, prostate, 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:
- Inclusion of the 2021 USPSTF lung cancer screening recommendations in your state’s cancer plan; and
- Addition of current lung cancer specific objectives and strategies.
CCC plans by state
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.
Alabama Department of Public Health Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Alaska Division of Public Health Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Arizona Cancer Control Program Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease
Arkansas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Arkansas Department of Health
California Dialogue on Cancer Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch California Department of Public Health
Comprehensive Cancer Program Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Connecticut Department of Public Health
Cancer Prevention and Control Program Division of Public Health
Florida Department of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Division of Public Health Georgia Department of Community Health
Questions or updates?
Please get in touch with GO2's Senior Director, Economics & Health Policy, Anita McGlothlin.
State cancer plan resources
If you are interested in learning more about various topics touched on in state comprehensive cancer control plans or more about lung cancer, please click on these resources:
General
American College of Radiology Screening Registry
National Lung Cancer Roundtable
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans
CDC National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Prevention: smoking cessation
National Quitline — 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)
GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) HelpLine
GO2 tobacco cessation information
Prevention: occupational
Occupational carcinogens
GO2 lung cancer and military members fact sheet
Prevention: environmental
National Cancer Institute (NCI) secondhand smoke and cancer fact sheet
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) radon site
American Cancer Society (ACS) asbestos and cancer risk information
Radon Risk Reduction Report: A Fractured Policy Landscape
Screening and early detection: GO2 resources
Screening Saves Lives educational video
Centers of Excellence in Screening
Screening facts and figures
Screening and early detection: patient-focused
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Everything Lung Cancer patient guide
Screening and early detection: provider-focused
NCCN NSCLC Clinical Practice Professional Guide
NCCN SCLC Clinical Practice Professional Guide
United States Preventitive Services Task Force (USPSTF) lung cancer screening recommendations
Health equity: cancer and health equity
CDC health equity in cancer
KFF Beyond Health Care: The Role of Social Determinants in Promoting Health and Health Equity
Health equity: GO2 lung cancer fact sheets
Lung cancer and women
Lung cancer and Asian Americans
Lung cancer and Black Americans
Lung cancer and American Indians
Health equity: language guides
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) language of respect guidelines
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) language guide
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) language guide
Quality of life: palliative care
National Hospice and Pallitative Care Organization (NHPCO) Caring Connections program
GO2 palliative care information
Quality of life: hospice
Hospice Foundation of American (HFA)
HFA facts and figures
Quality of life: financial toxicity
Triage Cancer navigating finances information
Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) financial advocacy toolkit
Quality of life: mental and social wellness
GO2 support services
Treatment: biomarkers
GO2 biomarker testing information
Treatment: clinical trials
GO2 clinical trials information
Treatment: lung cancer treatment options
GO2 treatment information
Policies
Aimed Alliance enacted state laws on biomarkers
Aimed Alliance enacted state laws on prior authorization (PA)
Affordable Care Act (ACA) rights and protections
Triage Cancer Cancer Rights Guides
*Information and plans are based on the State Cancer Plan Page and current as of October 14, 2023.