KANSAS CITY, Mo — More people are surviving lung cancer, according to a new report released Wednesday morning.
While the disease remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among both women and men, over the past 10 years the survival rate dramatically increased.
The "State of Lung Cancer" report shows the five-year survival rate is now 21.7 percent, up from 17.2 percent a decade ago.
That is a 26 percent improvement over the past 10 years.
According to state data released overnight, the rate of new lung cancer cases in Kansas is 60.9 (per 1,000 people) and not very different from the national rate of 59.6. It ranks 27th among all states.
In Missouri, the report shows the rate of new cases is 73.2 and significantly higher than the national rate of 59.6. It ranks 45th among all states.
Click here to read the full report.
