Nearly 30,000 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in Indiana between 2019 and 2023, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
In its November cancer control newsletter, released November 5, the department reported 29,541 new lung cancer diagnoses and 17,941 lung cancer-related deaths statewide during that five-year period.
The figures come as November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an effort to raise awareness about prevention, early detection and treatment.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the United States, according to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The organization estimates that 229,410 Americans will be diagnosed with lung or bronchus cancer in 2026, with approximately 124,990 deaths expected nationwide.
Smoking remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer. The Indiana Department of Health reports that smoking causes an estimated 80% to 90% of lung cancer cases nationwide. Other risk factors include secondhand smoke, radon exposure, air pollution and exposure to certain workplace substances.
Common warning signs include a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue and coughing up blood.
Health officials are also emphasizing the importance of screening, which can help detect lung cancer before symptoms develop.
Current recommendations call for annual screening using low-dose CT scans for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years a person smoked. For example, smoking one pack per day for 20 years equals 20 pack-years.
November 14 is National Lung Cancer Screening Day, with the Indiana Department of Health highlighting screening and awareness activities throughout the month.
Residents who believe they may be at increased risk are encouraged to discuss screening options with their healthcare provider.