Lung Cancer Statistics
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with over 229,000 new diagnoses for 2026. While lung cancer is aggressive, some have lived for over 20 years with it. Below, explore more statistics about lung cancer and learn how we work to support patients.
Key Facts About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer statistics help us understand the scope of this illness and what can be done to support those diagnosed.
Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer impacting men and women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Its overall prognosis is unfavorable, with less than a third of patients living for 5 years or more.
Still, with early detection and ever-advancing treatment options, more lung cancer patients are living longer and with a better quality of life.
Cigarette smoking is the leading lung cancer risk factor, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other notable causes include exposure to other toxins like radon or asbestos.
Typical lung cancer symptoms include a cough, blood in mucus, chest pain, shortness of breath, and bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia. Symptoms usually appear only after the cancer spreads.
Some lung cancer survivors have lived for 20+ years after initial diagnosis.
At Lung Cancer Group, we help lung cancer patients better understand their treatment and financial options after a diagnosis. Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide for more key lung cancer statistics and resources that may be able to help you.
Lung Cancer Statistics in the United States
lung cancer every day
expected in 2026
expected in 2026
Someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer every 2 minutes, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
Up to 1 in 5 people who will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. this year didn’t smoke, according to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
There were over 661,000 people living with lung cancer in the U.S. as of 2023, according to NCI SEER data.
The number of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients is going down in the U.S. because more people are choosing to not smoke or quit, according to the ACS.
Lung Cancer Statistics by State
Lung cancer rates vary by state depending on factors like population and smoking cessation rates.
More densely populated states, like California, have higher numbers of cases and deaths. With that said, lung cancer rates by population tend to be higher in states with higher rates of smokers.
- Florida 9,990
- California 9,580
- Texas 8,080
- Pennsylvania 5,870
- New York 5,850
At the other end, Alaska and Wyoming were projected to have the fewest lung cancer deaths, with just 210 each. Vermont, North Dakota, and South Dakota rounded out the lowest five, each below 400 expected deaths. Source: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
No matter which state you live in, it’s important to understand that lung cancer doctors and treatments can potentially help you live longer and with a better quality of life.
Lung Cancer Statistics Worldwide
Lung cancer accounts for 20% of all cancer-related deaths across the globe.
- China most cases worldwide
- United States
- Japan
- India
- Russia
For 2022, nearly 2.5 million people were diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide, per the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The IARC also noted that over 1.8 million people passed away from lung cancer in 2022 alone.
Roughly 7 in 10 lung cancer deaths worldwide can be traced back to smoking history, as noted by the ACS.
Lung Cancer in Europe
Lung cancer doctors across the world continue to study new treatments to improve patient outcomes, helping more to potentially live longer after a diagnosis.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Statistics
Nearly 8 in 10 lung cancer cases are non-small cell lung cancer, according to the ACS. This type is generally easier to treat since it doesn’t spread as quickly.
In earlier stages, doctors are able to recommend treatments like surgery to destroy NSCLC tumors and potentially help patients have a better life expectancy.
For 2026, roughly 176,645 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with NSCLC, per ACS data.
The number one risk factor for NSCLC is smoking, according to Yale Medicine specialists.
Doctors can use different treatments for NSCLC, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, to give patients the best quality of life possible.
Call (877) 446-5767 now for help if you or someone you love was diagnosed with NSCLC. We can help you understand treatment options and explore financial resources to help you afford care.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Statistics
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is much more rare than NSCLC, making up only 13% of diagnoses. Small cell lung cancer is considered the most aggressive type of lung cancer by Yale Medicine and can spread quickly through the body.
There are around 30,000 new SCLC diagnoses in the U.S. per year, as noted by ACS data.
Treatment favors medicine over surgery: SCLC tends to respond more favorably to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation, with surgery rarely being used, as noted by Yale Medicine.
Lung Cancer Causes Statistics
There are many possible lung cancer causes, but far and away the most common is smoking. Smoking cigarettes is the main risk factor for developing lung cancer, according to the CDC.
Other common causes of lung cancer include exposure to secondhand smoke and other carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), like asbestos and radon.
Nothing else comes close to tobacco — but the three exposures below it still account for tens of thousands of deaths a year, many in people who never smoked. Secondhand-smoke deaths are counted within the smoking total.
Smoking and Lung Cancer Statistics
Cigarette smokers are up to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer or pass away from it.
There is no safe amount. Even occasional smoking leads to a higher risk of lung cancer, per the CDC.
Continuing to smoke raises the risk of recurrence. You’re at higher risk of getting lung cancer again if you’ve already had it and are still smoking.
Smoking and poverty are linked. Generally speaking, smoking and poverty were some of the biggest causes of cancer-related deaths, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The toll keeps climbing. Smoking and secondhand smoke are expected to directly cause 182,830 lung cancer deaths in 2026 alone, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Quitting makes a difference. When someone quits smoking, the odds of them developing lung cancer decrease, according to the CDC.
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer Statistics
Even if you yourself didn’t smoke, you could still develop lung cancer from someone who did. Secondhand smoke exposure occurs among family members who lived with a smoker.
No level of secondhand smoke exposure is considered safe, according to the American Lung Association.
Those who are smoking can get help quitting to not only protect themselves against lung cancer, but their families too.
Asbestos Lung Cancer Statistics
Asbestos is a fiber-like mineral that was once used in buildings, ships, construction products like insulation, and other materials between the 1930s and early 1980s. If products containing asbestos were disturbed, they could release fibers into the air. Breathing those in may lead to lung cancer later in life.
Exposure to asbestos and cigarette smoke greatly increases the risk of lung cancer compared to just being exposed to one or the other.
Develops in lung tissue and is the most common asbestos-related cancer, according to Epidemiology.
Develops independently of lung cancer if asbestos fibers get trapped in the linings of major organs.
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now to find out more about how asbestos can contribute to a lung cancer diagnosis and resources to support your family.
Lung Cancer Radon Exposure Statistics
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that seeps into homes from the ground, water, soil, or rocks. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer.
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, according to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
2,900 deaths occur in nonsmokers — people whose only major exposure was radon itself.
18,100 deaths occur in people with a smoking history. Each square ≈ 500 deaths.
Smokers exposed to radon have a 10-fold greater risk of lung cancer compared to nonsmokers. Radon increases the risk of lung cancer among smokers as well as nonsmokers, per the CDC.
Radon is colorless and odorless. Unless there is a working radon detector or a professional test, it’s almost impossible to know if there’s radon in your home.
Testing your home with help from professionals can protect you and your family from the serious risks that radon poses.
Lung Cancer Gender Statistics
Lung cancer incidence has fallen much faster among men than women — rates in men have been declining for decades (down 42% since their 1984 peak), while rates in women began falling only within the last 10 years (down 16% since their 1988 peak). Population-adjusted rates, per the ACS and ALA.
Female Lung Cancer Statistics
Across the world, more than 600,000 women die from lung cancer every year, according to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Rates of women being diagnosed have increased by nearly 85% over the past 40 years, per O’Neal Cancer Center.
84% of lung cancer cases in women are caused by smoking, according to CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Women who don’t smoke are more than 2 times as likely to develop lung cancer compared to nonsmoking men.
Up to 20% of all lung cancer deaths among women could be tied to cooking fuel emissions, according to the Union for International Cancer Control.
Latina women have the generally lowest lung cancer rates of any gender and race, according to the ALA.
Women with a history of smoking or exposure to other potential causes should consider discussing their lung cancer risk with their doctor to get a better idea of prevention steps.
Male Lung Cancer Statistics
Men have generally higher lung cancer incidence and death rates compared to women, according to the CDC. In fact, men are 23% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than women, per the ALA.
Men account for 48.3% of lung cancer diagnoses, according to data from the ACS, and roughly 87% of lung cancer cases in men are linked back to cigarette smoking, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Worldwide, lung cancer was responsible for 14.3% of all cancer diagnoses in men, as noted by the ACS.
If you or someone in your life is facing lung cancer, we're ready to help you navigate the next steps. Contact us now to speak with our patient advocates about resources to assist your family.
Lung Cancer & Age Statistics
Generally speaking, most lung cancer patients are older adults, according to the NCI’s SEER Data. Only 2% of patients are diagnosed before age 50, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The average age of lung cancer patients at the time of their deaths is 73, per the NCI. Still, long-term survival may be possible even for older patients, depending on how they respond to treatment, their overall health, and other factors.
Lung Cancer Statistics by Race
Lung cancer can affect people of any race. However, several studies have shown disparities in lung cancer diagnoses depending on patients’ races.
Black and Native American lung cancer patients have lower survival rates than white patients. Non-white patients may also face lower odds of an early diagnosis or of receiving key treatments like surgery, per the ALA. More work must be done to ensure everyone gets high-quality care for lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Treatment Statistics
Doctors can use a variety of treatments for lung cancer with the goal of removing, shrinking, or destroying tumors.
The most common lung cancer treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation. Doctors often recommend using several treatments together to destroy as much of the cancer as possible.
Lung cancer surgery was used in 20.7% of cases nationally, according to the ALA. Different types of surgery are used to remove tumors along with all or part of a lung. It’s typically recommended for early-stage patients.
Lung cancer chemotherapy was used to treat roughly 62% of patients with stage 3 or 4 NSCLC, according to the NCI. Chemotherapy drugs circulate through the body to destroy lung cancer tumors.
Lung cancer radiation uses beams of energy to shrink the size of tumors. 32% of all NSCLC patients received radiation, according to the Journal of Cancer. This was nearly double the number of patients who underwent surgery.
Immunotherapy for lung cancer helps the body find and destroy lung cancer cells. In a Journal of Clinical Oncology report, advanced-stage NSCLC patients had a 5-year survival rate of 24% with this treatment.
Targeted lung cancer therapy allows doctors to destroy cancer with less harm to healthy cells and tissues. Patients who received this treatment lived nearly twice as long compared to those who received chemotherapy, according to Cancer Control.
Lung cancer clinical trials test new and possibly better treatment methods. In a Lung Cancer Management study, the most common treatments in trials were radiation at 26%, surgery at 22%, and targeted therapy at 17%. More than half of all lung cancer trials take place in the United States.
Not getting treated can allow the cancer to spread unchecked and significantly worsen patient health outcomes. Factors like age, poor overall health, and lower socioeconomic background all affect why someone may choose not to get treated.
Lung Cancer Prognosis Statistics
A lung cancer prognosis measures the projected amount of time someone has to live following a diagnosis. Prognosis for lung cancer is measured using two figures: life expectancy and survival rate.
Generally speaking, the prognosis for lung cancer is less than favorable, with patients living for under 2 years on average. However, it can vary significantly by cancer type, stage, patient health, and other factors.
Lung cancer screening can help diagnose people in earlier stages, where a prognosis is generally better. However, only 18.2% of at-risk people get lung cancer screenings, per the ALA.
In some situations, patients have lived for 20+ years after a lung cancer diagnosis, even in advanced stages. These patients are considered lung cancer survivors.
If lung cancer goes into remission (where signs and symptoms disappear or lessen), a prognosis can potentially improve.
Thanks to factors like treatment advancements, lung cancer survival times have made some of the most notable improvements out of any cancer, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to explore treatments that could help potentially improve your lung cancer prognosis and options to more easily afford care.
Lung Cancer Survival Rate Statistics
Survival rate measures the number of patients who are still living after a set period of time. It’s typically expressed as a percentage.
The overall 5-year lung cancer survival rate is currently 29.5%, as noted by NCI SEER data.
Reported in the Journal of Preventative Medicine & Public Health.
More than double the survival rate reported in men.
The 5-year survival rate for NSCLC is 32%, according to the ACS. Subtypes like adenocarcinoma are more aggressive, with the 5-year survival rate being just 12%.
The 5-year SCLC survival rate sits at just 9%, accounting for the more aggressive nature of this type.
Survival rates are higher for lower stages, since it’s often easier for doctors to remove or destroy all visible tumors. The 5-year survival rate for stage 1 cancer is 64.7%, compared with 9.7% for stage 4.
Lung cancer survival rates are averages, but each person’s cancer journey is unique. It may be possible to outlive the typical survival rate depending on how your lung cancer responds to treatment.
Lung Cancer Life Expectancy Statistics
Life expectancy is the amount of time a lung cancer patient is expected to live with their diagnosis. Average lung cancer life expectancies range from 7 to 16 months.
Many factors unique to your situation — overall health, the stage your cancer is in, and the treatments your doctors recommend — can greatly influence your specific life expectancy.
Lung Cancer Mortality Statistics
Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., according to the ACS — causing twice the deaths of any other cancer, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
It is expected to account for 20% of all U.S. cancer deaths in 2026, per NCI SEER data — and slightly more men than women are expected to die from the disease.
More than 50% of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within one year, according to Mount Sinai.
Kentucky has the highest state mortality rate at 50.2 deaths per 100,000; Utah reports the lowest at 15.5.
Slightly more men than women are expected to pass away from lung cancer in 2026.
Lung cancer mortality rates are decreasing thanks to factors like a general decrease in smoking and improvements in treatment, per the ACS. Screenings for those at risk can also help bring down mortality rates.
Lung Cancer Stage Statistics
Doctors use stages to note how far lung cancer has spread through the body at the time of a diagnosis. Generally speaking, there are 4 lung cancer stages, and higher stages mean more cancer.
Lower stages are associated with a more favorable prognosis since they’re easier to treat. With that said, it’s possible to become a long-term survivor with any stage of lung cancer depending on how your tumor responds to specific treatments.
Stage 1 Lung Cancer Statistics
Roughly 25% of lung cancer patients were diagnosed with localized, or stage 1 cancer, as noted by the CDC.
Stage 1 lung cancer means that the tumors have not spread outside of the lungs. The tumors are also fairly small, meaning they’re easy to completely remove or destroy using options like surgery.
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60.6%
5-year survival for stage 1 lung cancer, per the CDC.
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5–19%
Stage 1 NSCLC recurrence rate, according to the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center.
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+10%
Increase in rates of diagnosing lung cancer in earlier stages over the last 5 years, per the ALA.
-
35.5%
Of lung cancer patients in Rhode Island are diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer, as noted by the ALA.
Patients may have very mild symptoms like a cough, but many are asymptomatic.
In some situations, stage 1 lung cancer patients who get treated never have the cancer return, allowing them to live full lives following a diagnosis.
Stage 2 Lung Cancer Statistics
Stage 2 lung cancer has started to spread into nearby tissues. It has not reached lymph nodes, but could be deeper in the lungs or in a main airway, per City of Hope.
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11–27%
Recurrence rate for stage 2 NSCLC.
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22%
Of nonsmokers with lung cancer were diagnosed with stage 2, according to a 2023 study.
Like in stage 1, many patients don’t have symptoms. Those that do report a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain among issues. Stage 1 and stage 2 incidence rates are projected to increase as at-risk populations get older and screening tools are more widely used, according to ERS Publications.
Surgery is often recommended for patients in this stage since it will allow doctors to remove all visible tumors. Other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation could be used too.
Stage 3 Lung Cancer Statistics
Stage 3 lung cancer is locally advanced, spreading deeper through the body and potentially reaching nearby lymph nodes. Many patients start to experience symptoms at this stage.
Surgery may or may not be possible for stage 3 lung cancer depending on tumor spread, but doctors can still recommend options to help patients live longer.
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24–40%
Stage 3 NSCLC recurrence rate range.
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6 mo.
Average survival for stage 3 patients who don’t get treated, per Cancer Therapy Advisor.
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2%
Of nonsmokers were diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in a 2023 study.
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42.9%
Of stage 3 NSCLC patients were still alive in the landmark PACIFIC study when treated with the immunotherapy durvalumab (Imfinzi®) plus chemotherapy — vs. just 33.4% with chemotherapy alone.
Even though stage 3 lung cancer has spread, long-term survivorship may still be possible. Jim, a U.S. veteran, was diagnosed with stage 3 asbestos-related lung cancer in 2005.
At the time, stage 3 lung cancer had a 5-year survival rate of less than 2%. However, after multiple treatments, he became cancer-free and is still alive today.
"I was supposed to be dead. There have been a lot of, 'I'll be dead before this,' or 'I'll be dead before that happens,' but I just keep living."
– Jim, stage 3 lung cancer survivor
Stage 4 Lung Cancer Statistics
Stage 4 lung cancer is the most advanced stage. By this point, lung tumors have metastasized to distant organs or body parts, including the brain, liver, or bones.
Nearly 50% of all lung cancer patients are diagnosed in stage 4, according to the CDC. Surgery is usually not recommended in this stage, but patients can pursue other treatments to live longer.
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2% → ~10%
5-year survival for metastatic lung cancer, mid-1990s vs. today — a significant increase over 30 years, per CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
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6–12 mo.
How long patients with late-stage SCLC live with treatment, according to the NCI.
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2 mo.
Stage 4 lung cancer life expectancy without treatment, according to Cancer Therapy Advisor.
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10–21%
5-year survival rate range for stage 4 lung cancer, as noted by Cancer Therapy Advisor.
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25–30%
Of patients who have stage 4 NSCLC pass away within 3 months of diagnosis, as noted by Frontiers in Oncology.
Even though many stage 4 patients don’t achieve long-term survival due to cancer metastasis, some have lived for decades. For example, Wells was given 10 months to live following a stage 4 diagnosis but survived for over 25 years thanks to multiple treatments.
Lung Cancer Costs & Compensation Statistics
Getting care for lung cancer can be expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even with insurance, you may face significant costs related to diagnosing and treating lung cancer.
Fortunately, you and your family may be eligible for lung cancer compensation to ease the financial burden. Compensation options include lung cancer lawsuits, trust fund claims, and benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
In one example from the ACS, the medical expenses of a lung cancer diagnosis exceeded $140,000, with patients still responsible for thousands in out-of-pocket fees.
Many lung cancer lawsuits pay out over $1 million. Almost all lawsuits reach settlements, saving you the hassle of an in-court trial.
Over $30 billion is held collectively in asbestos trust funds — the size of the overall trust system, not an individual award. You can pursue payouts from the funds if asbestos-containing materials contributed to your lung cancer diagnosis.
VA Benefits for Veterans With Lung Cancer
The VA offers financial benefits to veterans with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other service diseases. Key lung cancer VA benefits include $3,938.58 a month and free or low-cost medical care.
At Lung Cancer Group, we’ve partnered with experienced lung cancer attorneys who can work to secure compensation at no upfront cost to your family. The lawyers in our network have recovered $6 billion for those impacted by asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.
“If you or a loved one is now facing lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos decades ago, it's not your fault. Asbestos lawyers can fight to recover payouts for medical bills, travel expenses, in-home care, and other costs.”
Behind the Numbers: Support for Patients and Families
Lung cancer statistics help patients and families better understand what to expect after a diagnosis, how effective key treatments are, and ways they can more easily afford care. At Lung Cancer Group, we know that behind every number is a real person looking for support.
Better understand their diagnosis
Learn about top lung cancer treatments
Pursue compensation for lung cancer
Get the support needed during this time
Contact us now for help navigating a lung cancer diagnosis. Our dedicated patient advocates and legal support staff are here to support you.
Lung Cancer Statistics 2026 FAQs
What is the cause of 90% of cases of lung cancer?
Smoking cigarettes causes nearly 90% of lung cancer cases, according to a study from the American Cancer Society. Cigarettes also cause 84% of lung cancer cases in women and 87% of diagnoses in men.
Additionally, cigarette smoke is responsible for 90% of lung cancer fatalities, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Cigarette smoke contains nearly 70 carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances.
What are some interesting facts about lung cancer?
Here are 5 interesting lung cancer facts:
- It’s the second-most common cancer in the U.S.
- It accounts for 20% of all cancer deaths, the highest of any cancer.
- Smoking is the most common cause, accounting for more than 80% of cases.
- Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer and worsens the risk in smokers.
- The average life expectancy for lung cancer is 7-16 months.
Statistics for lung cancer can be overwhelming, but it’s important to know that you could potentially live a long time with the right treatments.
Call (800) 555-5555 for help if you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer. You may be eligible for compensation to cover treatment costs.
Can you live a normal life with lung cancer?
It may be possible to live a normal life with lung cancer, but it depends on factors like your stage at the time of diagnosis, which treatments you receive, and how the cancer responds to medical intervention.
For example, stage 1 lung cancer has a relatively low recurrence rate ranging from 5% to 19%, and many patients are considered cancer-free after surgery. Early-stage patients have a better chance of living as normal a life as possible.
Late-stage lung cancer patients can also live a long time in some cases, but may need more extensive treatments that impact their quality of life (such as a pneumonectomy, in which an entire lung is removed).
Is lung cancer painful?
Lung cancer may or may not be painful. Early-stage patients typically have little to no symptoms, according to City of Hope.
As the cancer reaches later stages and spreads to other organs, it can cause more significant symptoms like difficulty breathing and coughing up blood.
Currently, nearly 70% of national lung cancer screening programs diagnose patients in later stages, often when they’re already having symptoms. Catching lung cancer earlier, before symptoms start, is crucial to helping patients live longer and with as little discomfort as possible.
Can you live 30 years after lung cancer?
While it’s rare, it is possible to live around 30 years after a lung cancer diagnosis. For instance, Wells was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and lived for 26 years thanks to treatments.
Given just 10 months to live initially when diagnosed at the age of 65, he lived to be 91 years old.
Call (800) 555-5555 now to find out more about lung cancer treatments that may help you survive lung cancer and how to afford them.
What is the percent chance of getting lung cancer?
According to the ACS, men have a 16% chance of developing lung cancer and women have a 17% chance. These numbers include cases of lung cancer among smokers as well as non-smokers.
If you smoked and/or were exposed to cancer-causing materials like asbestos, you’re at a higher risk.
What is the incidence of lung cancer?
Lung cancer incidence rates remain high in the U.S., as it’s the second-most common type of cancer impacting both men and women.
Lung cancer rates by year hover around 220,000 to 240,000 new diagnoses, with slightly more women than men being diagnosed.
What are the odds of surviving lung cancer?
The average 5-year lung cancer survival rate is 26.6%, as noted by the ALA. This means just over 1 in 4 lung cancer patients are still living 5 years after their diagnosis.
Long-term lung cancer survival rates are low, but it still may be possible for you to outlive them. Factors like your treatments, age, and cancer stage all play a role in lung cancer survival.
Contact us now to find out if you can seek compensation to afford treatments for lung cancer.
Written by:Lung Cancer GroupLung Cancer Group was established by a team of caring advocates so those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases can get the help they deserve. Our site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about lung cancer, its link to asbestos, and financial compensation available to patients. Contact us to learn more and get assistance.
