Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Week 1

Lung Cancer Awareness + Facts

Lung cancer touches more lives than almost any other cancer, yet it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. This month, we’re changing that, and we’d love your help. Here are the key facts everyone should know: who lung cancer affects, why early detection matters and the real reasons for hope.

Lung cancer by the numbers

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. Here’s a look at the latest figures from the American Cancer Society.

Lung cancer by the numbers: an estimated 229,410 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. in 2026. About 1 in 19 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Only 28% of lung cancers are found early. In North Carolina, an estimated 8,880 people will be diagnosed this year, and rates are higher than the national average: 73 vs. 59 new cases per 100,000 men and 55 vs. 49 per 100,000 women. Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2026.

Those numbers are why awareness matters. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community, and every one of them deserves the chance to be found early and cared for well.

Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer

Many different factors can play a role, and no one deserves blame or stigma for a diagnosis. Knowing the risk factors and warning signs helps you look out for yourself and the people you love.

Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Known risk factors: tobacco use, radon (the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.), secondhand smoke (linked to about 6,200 new cases expected this year) and workplace and environmental exposures such as asbestos, certain metals, diesel exhaust and air pollution. Warning signs: a cough that won't go away, coughing up blood, chest pain, hoarseness, worsening shortness of breath and repeated pneumonia or bronchitis. Notice any of these? Talk with a doctor.

Radon is one of the easiest risks to address: testing your home is simple and inexpensive. And if you notice any of the warning signs, don’t wait. Talk with your doctor.

A preview: why early detection matters

Early detection changes everything, and screening is one of the most powerful tools we have.

Why early detection matters. The 5-year survival rate is 65% when lung cancer is found early, at a localized stage, compared with 28% across all stages. Yearly screening with a quick, painless low-dose CT scan is recommended for generally healthy adults ages 50 to 80 with a history of smoking. Learn more at screeningsaveslives.org.

Next week, we’ll take a closer look at early detection and prevention, including who qualifies for screening, how to get started and simple steps like testing your home for radon.

Screening Saves Lives

Learn who qualifies, what to expect and how to get started through our Screening Saves initiative.

Learn about screening →

Reasons for hope

The outlook for people with lung cancer is better than it has ever been, and it keeps improving. Each of these advances started with research, and research depends on people who believe it matters.

Reasons for hope. The 5-year lung cancer survival rate has more than doubled, from 12% in the mid-1970s to 28% today, and is up 52% over the past decade alone, according to the American Lung Association. Lung cancer death rates have dropped 62% in men since 1990 and 38% in women since 2002, thanks to less smoking, earlier detection and better treatment. Every one of these advances started with research.

How you can take action this November

However you’re connected to lung cancer, there’s a place for you this month.

Get the toolkit

Download our free Take Action Toolkit or request a kit shipped to you.

Download it →
Request a kit →

Take the Hope + Action pledge

Fill out a pledge postcard with your hope and your action, share a photo on social media and tag us.

Download the postcard →

Join us at an event

From survivor gatherings to community education and our Night of Remembrance, there’s a way to show up all month.

See the events calendar →

Talk about screening

Share this post with someone who may qualify for a lung cancer screening. One conversation could help someone be found early.

Who qualifies →

Shop & Support

Check out our exclusive Lung Cancer Awareness Month merch. Every purchase supports Lung Cancer Initiative’s research, education and access programs.

Shop the store →

Lung Cancer Initiative Lung Cancer Awareness Month merchandise. Shop the store.

Stay connected

Follow us all month for daily posts, survivor stories and ways to get involved that build on each week’s theme. Check back next week for our post on early detection and prevention, and share what you learn: every post, share and tag helps someone else find their way to this community.