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Bipartisan Act Puts Focus on Women With Lung Cancer
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women in the United States, but often does not get as much attention as other malignancies. In an effort to change that, and to one day decrease the number of women who are dying from the disease, the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventative Services Act was reintroduced into Congress.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women in the United States, but often does not get as much attention as other malignancies. In an effort to change that, and to one day decrease the number of women who are dying from the disease, the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventative Services Act was reintroduced into Congress.
The act would combine forces from the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Alex Azar, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, will lead the group that will conduct a 180-day study. Results will help guide the status and recommendations for increased research on women and lung cancer, improve access to lung cancer preventive services and raise national public awareness and education on lung cancer.
Many are saying that this legislation is much needed. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 112,350 women in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018 — that’s about one in every 17. Also, about 193 women die of the disease each day.
The legislation was introduced by senators Marco Rubio (R, FL) and Dianne Feinstein (D, CA), representatives Frank LoBiondo (R, NJ), Rick Nolan (D, MN), Barbara Comstock (R, VA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR).
“My mother is a lung cancer survivor, so I know we can and must do more to prevent this devastating disease and support women who are battling it,” Rep. Bonamici said in a statement. “I’m proud to join this important bipartisan effort that will improve lung cancer research and result in better outcomes for women.”
Barbara Comstock echoed these thoughts.
“The Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act will provide critical resources in combating the largest cause of cancer death in women, lung cancer. We all know someone who has been devastated by lung cancer. I lost a best friend this past year and I join as an original cosponsor on this important bipartisan legislation in honor of Kate O’Beirne, who we lost in April,” she said.
“This legislation will allow us to make greater progress in battling lung cancer and providing increased access to preventive services that can save lives.”
