Advocating for Lung Cancer Patients

Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in the U.S., but in the last few years, there has been tremendous hope and progress in finding new treatments. The American Lung Association advocates for much-needed resources and policies for the fight against lung cancer at federal, state and local levels. Help us continue to give new hope to Americans who are facing lung cancer.

Critical Need for Lung Cancer Research Funding

Research is the key to better early detection, improved treatments, longer survival and new hope for those facing lung cancer.

The good news is lung cancer research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is growing. Congress has markedly increased NIH's budget for cancer research.

In part due to our advocacy, the NIH increased funding for lung cancer research from $331 million in 2016 to $447 million in 2020. This progress must be sustained and research funding must continue to grow. We're calling on the NIH to continue to build on this progress.

What We're Doing

• We work to increase federal funding for lung cancer research, treatment and prevention programs conducted by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
• We advocate to ensure that people with lung cancer have quality and affordable healthcare—without worry about whether they will lose their coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
• We advocate for coverage of tobacco cessation treatments and lifesaving lung cancer screening for those at high risk for developing the disease.
• The Lung Association also advocates for policies that will reduce the incidence of lung cancer by decreasing the number of Americans who smoke.
  • At the federal level, a higher cigarette tax and strong, effective regulatory authority over tobacco products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will help the number of smokers decline.
  • At state and local levels, we fight for comprehensive smokefree indoor air laws and ordinances, higher cigarette taxes, and fully funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. For this reason, we lead a national coalition that works to build in systems that reduce radon exposure. We advocate for federal funding for radon education programs and detection.