LINCOLN- While lung cancer remains the deadliest form of cancer both in Nebraska and nationally, survival rates are improving among all groups, according to an American Lung Association report. But Nebraska lags when it comes to using a key tool — screening high-risk groups with annual, low-dose CT scans — that could help further improve patients’ chances of survival.

Nebraska ranked 33rd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in screening high-risk residents, with just 3.7% of that group getting scanned. Nationally, the rate isn’t much higher at 4.5%, according to the State of Lung Cancer report. By detecting the disease at an earlier stage when it’s more easily treated, screening can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20%, according to the report.

“To me, that’s an awareness issue,” said Sara Prem, director of advocacy for the lung association in Nebraska and Kansas. “We need to make more people in the high-risk category aware” that the screening is available. The good news in Nebraska is that Medicaid covers lung cancer screening for people who qualify.

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