Lung Cancer Statistics

Interesting Facts About Lung Cancer

Each year, thousands of people are impacted by lung cancer. Understanding the latest lung cancer statistics gives patients and families a better understanding of this illness, as well as the next steps to take after a diagnosis.

Key Facts & Statistics About Lung Cancer for 2025 

• Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in the U.S., per the ACS.
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 87% of all cases, while small cell lung cancer (SCLC) makes up just 13%.
• The average 5-year lung cancer survival rate is 27%, according to a 2025 ACS report, but some patients may become long-term survivors.
• Common lung cancer symptoms include a recurring cough, bloody mucus, chest pain, and shortness of breath. These symptoms typically don’t develop until the cancer has spread.
• Over 27% of lung cancer deaths are caused by asbestos each year.
• Lung cancer lawsuit settlements award around $100,000 on average, though some may pay out $1 Million or more in certain cases.

Many companies made and sold products containing asbestos for decades, hiding the fact that it could cause lung cancer and other illnesses in order to keep their profits high.

For over 45 years, our lung cancer lawyers have helped patients get the justice they deserve. We can fight for families in all 50 states, and there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with us.

Lung Cancer Statistics in the United States

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent health issues in America, with hundreds of thousands of families affected every year.

Learn more about lung cancer stats in the United States: 

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., according to 2025 data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.
• Smoking cigarettes accounts for 80-90% of deaths from lung cancer in the U.S., as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The U.S. had the second-highest number of lung cancer cases globally in 2022. Only China reported more cases.
• U.S. lung cancer rates have been decreasing in men since the mid-1980s and in women since the mid-2000s, according to the ACS.

While a lung cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of uncertainty, doctors across the U.S. can help treat patients and potentially allow them to live longer.

Lung Cancer Rates by State

Lung cancer cases are reported in every state across the country. Below are the top 5 states with the highest rates of lung cancer.

Rates of lung cancer are higher in regions where smoking was more common, according to information released by the CDC.

Lung Cancer Screening Rates by State

Lung cancer screenings are recommended for current or former long-term smokers. Screenings can help doctors diagnose cases in earlier stages, before symptoms have appeared and when the cancer is easier to treat.

Find out more about lung cancer screening statistics by state:

• Screening rates remain low throughout the United States.
• Just 16% of those at a high risk of lung cancer get an annual screening, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
• Rhode Island has the highest screening rates at 28.6%, while Wyoming has the lowest rates, with only 8.6% of those at risk getting screened.

The ACS recommends yearly screenings for anyone between the ages of 50 and 80 who smoked at least 1 pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years. You may also want to request a screening if you have ever worked around toxic substances like asbestos.

Lung Cancer Statistics Worldwide

Global lung cancer statistics illustrate the scope of this health problem throughout the world. In fact, it’s considered the most common cancer and the one responsible for the most deaths worldwide, according to the ACS.

Key statistics for lung cancer worldwide reveal: 

• Nearly 2.5 million lung cancer cases were diagnosed globally in 2022, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• There were over 30,000 mesothelioma diagnoses around the world, per a 2023 Journal of Thoracic Oncology study.
• China reported the highest number of lung cancer diagnoses, with over 1 million cases in 2022 alone, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
• Smoking accounts for nearly 70% of all lung cancer deaths globally, according to the ACS.
• Lung cancer accounts for 19% of all cancer deaths worldwide.

Lung cancer remains a considerable issue that affects all countries. Despite advances in medical care and treatment options, millions of people continue to be impacted by lung cancer every year.

Lung Cancer Statistics in Europe

Like in the U.S., lung cancer remains the most deadly cancer across Europe. European lung cancer statistics by country show that hundreds of thousands of families are impacted every year.

Notable European lung cancer statistics include: 

• Lung cancer accounted for 19.8% of all cancer-related deaths in the European Union (EU) in 2021. Over 226,000 EU residents died from lung cancer that year, according to Eurostat.
• Eurostat statistics show that Denmark and the Netherlands tied for the highest numbers of lung cancer deaths in 2021, making up 6% of fatalities in these countries.
• Women accounted for 1 in 3 European lung cancer deaths, according to a report from Translational Lung Cancer Research.

The death rate of lung cancer in Europe reached over 85% in a 2021 Translational Lung Cancer Research study, revealing the need for better ways to diagnose and promptly treat patients.

Statistics on Lung Cancer Causes

The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes, which significantly harms lung tissue. Exposure to other harmful substances, like asbestos and air pollution, can also lead to lung cancer.

Asbestos is a notable risk factor for lung cancer, as noted in a 2025 ACS report. This fibrous material was once used in many different construction, industrial, and even cosmetic products.

Handling asbestos-containing products can release fibers into the air. Breathing or swallowing asbestos fibers can put you at risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.

Smokers exposed to asbestos have a nearly 100-fold risk of lung cancer compared to just a 10-fold risk in those not exposed, according to a report from European Respiratory Review.

Smoking and Lung Cancer Statistics

Smoking cigarettes accounts for 86% of all lung cancer cases in the U.S., according to the ACS.

Cigarette smoke contains over 70 cancer-causing chemicals, including lead, nicotine, benzene, and arsenic. Cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other types of smokeless tobacco can cause lung cancer too.

You’re also at risk if you were exposed to secondhand smoke, like living or working with smokers. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20-30%, according to the CDC.

The CDC has also found that nearly 90% of all lung cancer deaths are linked to smoking cigarettes or secondhand exposure.

Air Pollution and Lung Cancer Statistics

Exposure to pollution in the air is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to a 2023 Journal of Thoracic Oncology report. Toxins released from car exhaust, power plants, and more can contribute to air pollution that leads to lung cancer.

Here are key points to know about air pollution and lung cancer: 

• Air pollution contributes to 29% of lung cancer deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Exposure to toxic air can worsen a patient’s ability to survive lung cancer, per the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
• Nearly 200,000 lung cancer cases were attributed to air pollution in 2022, according to The Lancet.

Until more action is taken to lessen air pollution, it will continue to put people around the world at risk of lung cancer and other serious health issues.

Lung Cancer Age Statistics

Lung cancer typically affects those aged 65 or older, as noted by the ACS. However, lung cancer can sometimes affect younger adults, teenagers, and children.

Find out about age-related lung cancer facts and statistics: 

• In 2021, 96% of patients who died from lung cancer were 55 and older, according to the ALA.
• The average age of a person diagnosed with lung cancer is 70, per the ACS.
• One of the youngest lung cancer patients was an 8-year-old girl in China. Her doctors believed her diagnosis stemmed from air pollution.
• The average age of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (which affects the lung lining) is 72.

Older patients may not realize that exposure to asbestos decades earlier may have contributed to their lung cancer diagnosis, even if they have a history of smoking.

Our lung cancer lawyers can help patients of any age determine if asbestos may have played a role in their diagnosis and pursue the compensation they deserve.

Lung Cancer Statistics by Age

A 2022 study from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) looked at the ages of over 500,000 lung cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis.

According to the ASCO lung cancer study:

• 90.5% of patients were 56-88 years old
• 8.4% of patients were 35-55 years old
• 0.9% of patients were 18-34 years old

About 79% of older patients currently smoked at the time of their lung cancer diagnosis, compared to just 22% of patients aged 18-34.

Lung Cancer Mortality Statistics

Lung cancer mortality rates track the number of patients who pass away from this illness every year. Over the years, United States lung cancer death rates have been slowly decreasing.

However, lung cancer still kills more people than any other cancer. In fact, an estimated 124,730 people in the U.S. will die from lung cancer in 2025, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Lung Cancer Death Statistics

Different lung cancer death statistics allow doctors, researchers, and patients to get a better understanding of this illness and the odds of survival.

Over the years, lower rates of smoking and advancements in treatment have gradually helped decrease lung cancer death rates.

Learn more about lung cancer death statistics for 2025: 

• Lung cancer mortality rates have dropped by 61% in men since 1990, per a 2025 report from the ACS.
• Lung cancer accounts for roughly 87% of asbestos-related deaths per year, according to data from the International Commission of Occupational Health.
• More men are projected to pass away from lung cancer than women. About 64,190 men will die from lung cancer in 2025 compared to 60,540 women, according to the ACS.
• Over 27% of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to asbestos exposure.
• The 5 states with the highest lung cancer death rates are West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, as noted by the ALA.

Lung cancer specialists can recommend treatments to help patients live as long as possible following a diagnosis. In addition, ongoing research and clinical trials study new ways to improve survival times.

Lung Cancer Survival Statistics

Doctors and researchers continue to study how long lung cancer patients live for and new options that may help improve life expectancy.

Here’s what to know about lung cancer survival statistics:

• Over 61,000 lung cancer patients diagnosed in 2025 will still be alive 5 years from now, according to the ACS.
• The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is 27% in 2025.
• The 5-year survival rate is 64% for patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer.

Some lung cancer patients can greatly outlive the average survival rates depending on how their cancer responds to treatment. These patients are considered lung cancer survivors, with the longest still alive 20 years or more after diagnosis. 

Jim, a father and U.S. Navy veteran, was diagnosed with advanced asbestos-related lung cancer in 2005. Despite his diagnosis and struggling with other health issues like asbestosis, he has lived for 20 years thanks to treatment.

“I've lived every minute since that diagnosis as if it was an extra gift."
– Jim, Asbestos Lung Cancer Survivor

Lung Cancer Treatment Statistics

Treatments can potentially help lung cancer patients live longer and spend more time with their loved ones. Doctors can recommend different treatments depending on the unique factors in each patient’s case.

Common treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Explore essential lung cancer treatment statistics below: 

• The main treatment for NSCLC is surgery in early-stage cases, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy in advanced cases.
• SCLC is treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Surgery is not typically used since metastasis (distant spread) is common, according to Yale Medicine.
• Doctors can recommend clinical trials testing new lung cancer treatments that may potentially improve survival.
• Lung cancer treatments can be expensive, costing patients over $10,000 without insurance and more than $100,000 without it, according to Cancer Action Network.

Multiple types of treatments are often used to destroy as much of the cancer as possible, ease symptoms, and give patients the best chance of living longer.

At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help families pursue lung cancer compensation for treatments and any other expenses by taking legal action on their behalf.

Sokolove Law: Fighting for Lung Cancer Victims Nationwide

A lung cancer diagnosis can be devastating, especially when it may have been prevented if asbestos-related companies had prioritized public safety over profits.

You shouldn’t face a lung cancer diagnosis alone. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys can help families in all 50 states file lung cancer claims and pursue compensation for treatments, lost wages, and more.

To date, we’ve recovered over $5.6 Billion for families impacted by asbestos exposure. There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with us.

Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.

Statistics of Lung Cancer FAQs