Texas ranks low for new lung cancer cases but lags in survival rate, other metrics

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.

Go deeper: Where lung cancer rates are lowest — and highest