Report: Georgia policymakers must increase access to early screening for lung cancer to save lives

Credit: Emory University

Cancer screening saves lives.

That’s the message the American Lung Association wants to drive home for policymakers, according to this year’s “State of Lung Cancer” report.

Early detection of lung cancer raises your chances of surviving the disease — and there are positive shifts nationwide — but, in Georgia, early diagnosis is much lower than the national average, Danna Thompson, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Georgia said.

Biomarker testing can help determine the subtype of lung cancer, which informs the health care team as to best treatment options based on the individual’s genes.

“It's really been developing over several years,” Thompson said. “It looks for changes in the tumors. It allows for patients not to have to get unnecessary treatment as well.”

Insurance coverage removes a cost barrier to people with lung cancer, but coverage for biomarker testing is only required in some states.

The Lung Association is also calling on Congress to pass the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 4286), Thompson said.

Though Georgia law requires insurance companies to cover biomarker testing, many people do not have a primary care doctor or a health care plan. That’s why the ALA is calling on Georgia officials to expand Medicaid.

“Not having Medicaid expansion in Georgia leaves our taxpayers taking on a higher cost for individuals that show up to the ER,” Thompson said, noting that cancer is a devastating disease that impacts too many families.

“We are leaving over 500,000 low-income Georgians without health coverage,” Thompson said. “So that means, you know, no screenings, no preventative care, no conversations with the doctor to learn more about if you are at risk for lung cancer and other ailments.” 

Thompson says older adults who smoke — or who have a history of smoking cigarettes — are at higher risk for lung cancer, but anyone can see if you are a good candidate for lung cancer screening by taking a quiz on the chapter’s website.