Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread to other parts of the body. Smoking tobacco is the most common cause of this disease, responsible for more than 80% of all lung cancer cases. Lung cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancers and is the most common cancer in men and women, behind prostate and breast cancers. Lung cancer is, by far, the leading cause of cancer death in America, outpacing breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Nearly 225,000 new lung cancer cases are diagnosed each year and nearly 136,000 deaths annually result from this disease. About two-thirds of those diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older, with the average age at the time of diagnosis being about 70. Exposure to radon accounts for approximately 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Currently, there are more than 541,000 American survivors of lung cancer.

Recent studies have shown a higher incidence of lung cancer for non-smoking women compared to non-smoking men, and found the relative risk of developing lung cancer has increased tenfold among female smokers between 1959 and 2010. Advocates say more research to be done to explain the gender differences of this disease.

Pending Legislation: S.699 - Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Marco Rubio (FL)
Status: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Chair: Sen. Patty Murray (WA)