WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen (D-VI), and Congressman Edward Whitfield (R-KY) introduced legislation targeting lung cancer as a national public health priority and for a coordinated federal effort to reduce the mortality rate of the number one cancer killer. The House resolution, H.Res. 335, is identical to the Senate resolution on lung cancer introduced in March by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).

Congresswoman Capps, who is also the Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and a member of the House Cancer Caucus, said: "Lung cancer now accounts for more deaths among women each year than breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers combined, and 20% of the women being diagnosed now have never smoked.  These statistics are extremely troubling and we need answers as to why this is happening."

Congresswoman Christensen, who is also doctor and a leading public health disparities expert, said that lung cancer is also the biggest cancer killer of African American male and females, causing more deaths each year than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.  “In fact,” Christensen noted, “the incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer in African American males is higher than in any other population subset and there is virtually no research going on in this area.”

"I understand the difficulties faced by the millions of Americans afflicted with lung cancer," said Congressman Whitfield.  "Many families have been affected by cancer and have seen first hand the trials and hardships cancer patients go through on a daily basis.  It is important that our government invests the necessary funds to continue research into preventing and curing lung cancer."

Lung Cancer Alliance President Laurie Fenton praised the bill sponsors noting, “We now have a broad based coalition in the House and Senate who are willing to fight to get lung cancer research and earlier detection the funding and attention that has been so long overdue. Lung cancer will no longer be ignored and stigmatized.”

 In addition to more targeted research on lung cancer and more effective treatments, the resolution specifically calls for more resources for earlier detection for those at high risk for lung cancer.

“In every other major cancer, screening and early detection has led to tremendous increases in survival. Lung cancer's 5 year survival rate is still only 15% and that is unacceptable,” said Fenton. “We have to get moving quickly on lung cancer and we have to move on all fronts,”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.