Lung Cancer
Isn’t Just
A Smoker’s Disease

Why Lung Cancer?

lung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and is responsible for more cancer deaths than any other form of cancer. More than 135,000 Americans will die this year from the disease. Lung cancer is also disproportionately funded relative to other more treatable diseases. Progress in finding a cure to this disease has been slow, but is moving forward. Slowly but surely, survival rates are increasing. More research can accelerate those rates and save lives. That’s why we are so dedicated to this fight.

Some facts about lung cancer:

  • 1 in 14 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime
  • Lung cancer accounts for 13% of all new cancer diagnoses but 22% of all cancer deaths
  • More than 228,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year
  • 80% of those diagnosed with lung cancer are NOT currently smokers
  • Death rates for lung cancer are nearly double those for the next most deadly form of cancer
  • The 5-year survival rate of lung cancer is approximately 21%. If caught early enough, that rate is significantly higher
  • There is some progress: Lung cancer death have dropped by 51% (since 1990) in men and 26% (since 2002) in women

Why we need your help:

Only 6% of federal government dollars spent on cancer research are spent on lung cancer research.