World Lung Cancer Day: Virginia sees progress, but rural disparities and low screening rates persist

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- August 1 marks World Lung Cancer Day, a crucial time dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer and emphasizing the power of early detection.

While Virginia is making strides in combating this deadly disease, medical experts warn that the work is far from over.

According to the American Lung Association, Virginia ranks 17th among all states for new lung cancer cases, placing the Commonwealth in the average tier nationally.

"It's the second most common type of cancer in men and women but it's the leading cause of cancer related deaths," said Dr. Richard Hall, Pulmonologist with UVA Health.

While Virginia's rate of new lung cancer cases, at 51.6, is lower than the national rate of 53.6, Dr. Hall highlighted a significant challenge -- smoking rates remain high in the state's rural areas.

"A lot of my patients are from more rural areas of the state," Dr. Hall noted. "So there's some discrepancy or disparity between urban and more rural locations in the state.”

While smoking remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer, VCU Pulmonologist Dr. Patrick Nana-Sinkam stressed that it's not the only one. Environmental exposures like radon and air pollution, genetics and secondhand smoke can significantly increase an individual's risk.

"10 to 20% of individuals who are diagnosed with lung cancer have never actually smoked," Dr. Nana-Sinkam said.

Even with some positive trends and declining lung cancer rates, doctors agree there’s still a lot of work to be done, particularly when it comes to early detection.

"For example, we note that among those individuals who are at risk for lung cancer, only a small fraction of those individuals undergo screening," Dr. Nana-Sinkam said.

National data shows that only about 16% of those at high risk for lung cancer actually get screened annually. In Virginia, screening rates hover right around that national average.

Despite the challenges, there is also a tremendous amount of hope. Lung cancer treatment has come a long way over the last 20 years, with new options like immunotherapy and surgical advancements transforming outcomes for patients.

"Through the work of so many dedicated researchers, we now know that not all lung cancers are the same. There's a tremendous amount of hope," Dr. Nana-Sinkam explained.

People who currently smoke or formerly smoked are at higher risk for lung cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) for some of these people.

Older individuals are identified as most vulnerable, with a significant health disparity observed among racial groups -- Black men, specifically, have the highest rates of lung cancer diagnosis compared to other racial groups in the U.S.

For 2025, the American Cancer Society estimates approximately 226,650 new lung cancer cases in the U.S. (with 110,680 in men and 115,970 in women), and around 124,730 deaths (64,190 in men and 60,540 in women).

That's why physicians are urging those who meet the criteria to get screened.

"If a family member, a friend, colleague, a loved one, is that someone, meets those criteria to undergo a lung cancer screening CT, we'd recommend people go out there and actually get screened," Dr. Hall said.