Urging Congress to Fund the Lung Cancer Research Program

Lung Cancer Initiative is one of 61 organizations representing lung cancer patients, veterans, caregivers, doctors and researchers across the country urging Congress to allocate $60 million to the Lung Cancer Research Program within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) in the Fiscal Year 2023 Defense appropriations bill.

Because of a lack of funding in fiscal year 2021, the Lung Cancer Research Program was forced to reject 82 out of 119 research proposals rated excellent or outstanding by reviewers (70%). This represents 82 missed opportunities to advance novel, desperately needed technologies and treatments to fight America’s top cancer killer. A $60 million appropriation could have funded all of these high-quality proposals.

Lung cancer patients’ survival depends on significantly more research into everything from early detection to treatments that combat resistance to existing therapeutics.

Veterans are at significantly greater risk for lung cancer and are diagnosed at higher rates than the general population. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) estimates that 900,000 veterans are at risk for lung cancer due to age, significantly higher rates of smoking— particularly among those deployed—and toxic exposures during military service and after. However, lung cancer received only 3.46% ($20 million) of the $577.5 million in CDMRP cancer funds in FY22, less than every named CDMRP cancer except one.

This collective supports raising the overall federal funding level for all cancer programs, as new funding of any individual cancer should not come at the expense of any other cancer.

Share Your Voice – Visit the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN) portal to send an email to your legislator and to learn more.