Nolan, Capps and LoBiondo Introduce Legislation to Require Study on Women and Lung Cancer

Press Release

U.S. Reps and Co-Chairs of the Congressional Lung Cancer Caucus Rick Nolan (D-MN), Lois Capps (D-CA) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) this week introduced the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act to require a comprehensive study on women and lung cancer.

The bill, H.R.5263, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to conduct an interagency study to evaluate the status of and make recommendations for increased (1) research on women and lung cancer; (2) access to lung cancer preventive services; and (3) strategic public awareness and education campaigns on lung cancer

Prior studies have shown that women are at greater risk than men of being diagnosed with lung cancer at young ages. In the United States, an average of 198 women die each day of lung cancer, one every 7 minutes.
"We need additional research strategies to explore the differences in lung cancer risk factors, incidence, and treatment response between men and women," Nolan said. "There is a clear disparate impact of lung cancer on women and, in particular, on women who have never smoked. This is a public health crisis and we must address it through passage of this bipartisan, bicameral bill."

"As a co-chair of the Lung Cancer Caucus, I am happy to join my colleagues in introducing this important bill to improve outcomes for women affected by lung cancer," Capps said. "More women die of lung cancer than any other cancer. It is crucial that more be done to find ways to identify lung cancer early, treat it effectively, and prevent it all together."

"Countless individuals across the country have been devastated by lung cancer. This is a very personal issue for my family, responsible for the death of both of my wife's parents. As this disease knows no boundaries in who it affects, efforts to raise awareness and reduce mortality rates require a true partnership that knows no political lines," LoBiondo said. "I remain committed to working with Reps. Nolan, Capps and other colleagues and groups who want to help make real strides against lung cancer."

"Our community takes great pride in knowing that leadership, bipartisanship and genuine interest in lung cancer continues in the U.S. House of Representatives," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President & CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance. "Thank you Congressman Nolan, Congressman LoBiondo and Congresswoman Capps for your unwavering support to improve health outcomes for women impacted by this disease. The legislation shines an important light on the differences in how the number one cancer killer presents in women and men and sets in place a plan to lessen the overall impact of this disease on all people."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women; the National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2016, 71,600 women will die of lung cancer, more than the combined total of all estimated deaths from breast cancer (40,450), ovarian cancer (14,240), cervical cancer (4,120), uterine cancer (10,470), and other gynecologic cancers (1,990).

A bipartisan companion measure was introduced by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

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