Congressman Brendan Boyle visited Fox Chase Cancer Center on May 4 to highlight national efforts focused on lung cancer in women. He was joined by clinicians, researchers, and advocates to discuss the increased attention this area is receiving through the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act.
The legislation, co-led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, aims to expand research, improve early detection, and raise awareness about how lung cancer affects women differently. “Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States,” Boyle said. “This effort is about changing that reality.”
Traditionally associated with smoking, experts now recognize that many women diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked and may be younger or lack traditional risk factors. This evolving understanding is influencing approaches to screening and prevention.
“This is something we see every day in our clinics and operating rooms,” said Stacey Su, MD, FACS, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase. “It’s changing how we think about risk, how we approach screening, and how we design research.” Su also stressed the importance of early detection: “Early detection changes everything,” she said. “When we find lung cancer early, we have more options, and in many cases, the potential to cure.”
Fox Chase collaborates with Temple Health’s Temple Lung Center through initiatives like the Temple Healthy Chest Initiative to expand access to coordinated screening programs using low-dose CT scans for earlier diagnosis.
As a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive center, Fox Chase offers clinical trials and advanced treatments while researching why some patients respond differently or develop disease without typical risks. Boyle’s visit reflects growing momentum around addressing lung cancer in women through research investment and improved care coordination.
“We see you, we hear you, and we are committed to doing better,” Su said.