Texas ranks low for new lung cancer cases but lags in survival rate, other metrics
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Texas ranks better than most states when it comes to new lung cancer diagnoses but has room to improve, per the American Lung Association's 2025 State of Lung Cancer report.
Why it matters: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths.
State of play: Texas ranked 11th best, considered "above average," with rate of 45.5 new cases per 100,000 people in 2022, the most recent data available.
Yes, but: Only 16.2% of lung cancer patients in Texas undergo surgery as a first course of treatment, lower than the national average of 20.7%, per the report. The association says patients see higher survival rates when surgery is part of the initial treatment.
- 28% of cases go untreated for various factors, like cost of care or patient apathy, above the national average of 21%.
- And only 12% of high-risk populations were screened for lung cancer, opposed to the national average of 18.2%.
- While the nationwide five-year survival rate is nearly 30%, Texas lags behind at 26.6%.
The intrigue: Texas received an "F" grade in all five of the association's tobacco prevention measures, including tobacco taxes, access to cessation programs and statewide regulations on smoke-free environments.
- The state spent about $9.4 million in fiscal year 2025 on tobacco control programs. That's only 3.6% of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
What they're saying: Dr. Ernest Hawk, head of cancer prevention and population sciences at MD Anderson Cancer Center, tells Axios that the state's lung cancer rate has been on a steady decline over the last two decades thanks to lower tobacco usage — but more work can be done.
- "Tobacco control policies are among the most effective and affordable ways to reduce lung cancer risk, delivering major health gains at minimal cost," Hawk says.
- "The strongest measure is raising tobacco prices through higher taxes, which curbs use, limits youth access and generates revenue for prevention and treatment programs."
The bottom line: Nearly 227,000 people nationwide will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, the report says.

