Title: A resolution designating November 2022 as "National Lung Cancer Awareness Month" and expressing support for early detection and treatment of lung cancer.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution designates November 2022 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 863 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 863

 Designating November 2022 as ``National Lung Cancer Awareness Month'' 
   and expressing support for early detection and treatment of lung 
                                cancer.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 7, 2022

     Ms. Smith (for herself and Mr. Rubio) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating November 2022 as ``National Lung Cancer Awareness Month'' 
   and expressing support for early detection and treatment of lung 
                                cancer.

Whereas lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among 
        individuals in the United States, accounting for more deaths than colon 
        cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer combined;
Whereas it is estimated that, in 2022, 236,740 individuals in the United States 
        will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and 130,180 individuals 
        (approximately 350 individuals per day) will die from the disease;
Whereas 1 in 16 men and 1 in 17 women in the United States will develop lung 
        cancer during their lifetimes;
Whereas the rate of lung cancer diagnosis in women in the United States has 
        increased by 79 percent over the past 44 years, each year more women die 
        from lung cancer than breast cancer, and, by 2035, it is estimated that 
        more women will die from lung cancer than men;
Whereas disparities in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and 
        mortality are well-documented, and Black men have the highest incidence 
        of lung cancer and the highest mortality rate from lung cancer of any 
        racial or ethnic group in the United States;
Whereas, in 2022, lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked is estimated 
        to account for 20,700 deaths in the United States, according to the 
        American Cancer Society;
Whereas women who have never smoked are more likely to be diagnosed with lung 
        cancer than men who have never smoked;
Whereas, in the United States, the proportion of lung cancers diagnosed in 
        individuals who have never smoked is increasing;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for localized lung cancer is 61 percent, yet 
        only 19 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed at this stage, while a 
        majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at the distant stage, for 
        which the 5-year survival rate is 7 percent;
Whereas screening individuals at high risk of lung cancer using low-dose 
        computed tomography can detect lung cancer earlier than other forms of 
        screening and ultimately save lives;
Whereas over 1,000,000 veterans are eligible for lung cancer screening, but less 
        than 3 percent undergo lung cancer screening by low-dose computed 
        tomography;
Whereas lung cancer screening can effectively reduce lung cancer mortality, but, 
        annually, only 4.5 percent of individuals in the United States at risk 
        for lung cancer undergo lung cancer screening with low-dose computed 
        tomography;
Whereas current lung cancer screening guidelines help identify cancer early for 
        individuals at high risk of lung cancer, leading to a higher likelihood 
        of successful treatment, but can preclude screening for individuals who 
        develop lung cancer, including individuals who have never smoked but 
        have other risk factors, such as family history of lung cancer, exposure 
        to secondhand smoke, or exposure to radon, which is the second leading 
        cause of lung cancer; and
Whereas educational efforts can increase awareness of lung cancer and lung 
        cancer screening among the general public, patients and their families, 
        and health care workers, thereby increasing the early detection of lung 
        cancer: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates November 2022 as ``National Lung Cancer 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) supports the purposes and ideals of National Lung 
        Cancer Awareness Month;
            (3) promotes efforts to increase awareness of, and 
        education about, lung cancer among individuals in the United 
        States;
            (4) champions efforts to increase lung cancer screening by 
        raising awareness among, and improving access for, individuals 
        who are eligible for lung cancer screening;
            (5) recognizes the need for research on the early 
        screening, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer; and
            (6) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        National Lung Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate awareness 
        and educational activities.
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