LCA-MA 2009 Report Card on Lung Cancer released

Massachusetts Does Little to Make Lung Cancer a State Public Health Priority

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance-Massachusetts (LCA-MA) issued its 3rd Annual Report Card on Lung Cancer. The 2009 Report Card is an assessment of progress being made against this lethal disease in the state of Massachusetts. LCA-MA is a chapter of Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), the only national organization dedicated exclusively to patient support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for lung cancer.

The 2009 Massachusetts Report Card on Lung Cancer tracks LCA's National Report Card on Lung Cancer, now in its fifth edition, which gauges national progress in the battle to reverse lung cancer's stigma and mortality rate. These Report Cards have become centerpieces to draw attention to the need for increased support, attention and research funding for lung cancer.

"LCA-MA is committed to working with all public and private partners within the state to address the needs of the entire lung cancer community," said Diane Legg, LCA-MA Chair and lung cancer survivor. "We will show compassion and support for those touched by the disease while working to secure increased research funding for early detection and treatments that will ultimately lead to cures."

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death nationally, as well as among Commonwealth men and women, resulting in approximately 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the state. In 2009, it is estimated that 5,120 Commonwealth citizens will be diagnosed and 3,610 will die from the disease--more than the combined total of breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

The LCA-MA 2009 Report Card on Lung Cancer uses six categories to grade progress in key areas: The catagories include: Number of Deaths; 5-year Survival Rate; Number of Late Stage Diagnosis; Newly Addicted Young Smokers; State Supported Research; State Supported Cancer Plan. Only two categories received non-failing grades in 2009, with State Support Research and State Supported Cancer Plan both receiving a "D+".