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Lung Cancer Research Highlights

Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women
in the United States. Our research program has played a role in many of the prevention, screening, and treatment advances that save lives from lung cancer today. And, we continue to fund research to help save even more lives in the future. 

Survival After a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Has Improved, Yet More People Die from Lung Cancer Than Any Other Type

Over the past 20 years, there have been exciting improvements in survival after a diagnosis of lung cancer. These are due to advances in the understanding of tumor biology, the development of targeted treatment, and the introduction of screening. However, we've known about the link between smoking and lung cancer for even longer, and smoking is still responsible for most deaths from lung cancer. 

Most E-cigarette Users Ages 18 to 29 Never Smoked Before

Researchers say about 2.7 million younger adults with no history of cigarette smoking used e-cigarettes in 2021.

Risk & Prevention Studies

Stopping Smoking Earlier in Life Reduces More Risks

People who stop smoking by age 35 reduce almost 100% of the extra risk they had of dying from cancer or any other cause.

Most People with Lung Cancer Smoked

ACS and CDC researchers find that 12% of people diagnosed with lung cancer never smoked.

Study Finds 20% of Cancer Deaths Linked to Smoking in 147 Cities

In Appalachia and the South, ACS researchers found 4 in 10 deaths from cancer are linked with smoking.

The ACS Tobacco Control Research Team Helps Put Evidence Into Action Via Policies

We study factors in the United States that predict what leads adults and adolescents to start and stop using any one of the many conventional or novel tobacco products. We track the use of cigarettes, cigars, and snuff along with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), hookahs, and nicotine pouches. We also evaluate the value of tobacco control laws and rules—how effective they are in reducing the use of tobacco products in the US."

Nigar Nargis, PhD

Senior Scientific Director, Tobacco Control Research

American Cancer Society

See What This Team Is Doing

Statistics on Lung Cancer Risk and Prevention

50%

increase in risk for developing lung cancer if your parent or child is diagnosed with it

82%

increase in risk for developing lung cancer if your sibling is diagnosed with it

6

average number of attempts it takes
to quit smoking
for good

Quit2Heal is a research study comparing 2 smartphone apps for cancer patients quitting smoking. 

If you smoke and have been diagnosed with cancer in the last 24 months, you may be eligible to participate in a research study that will test a smartphone app to help you quit smoking.

See If the Quit2Health Clinical Trial Is for You

Screening & Early Detection Studies

Biomarkers May Improve Prediction of a Lung Cancer Diagnosis

A group of international researchers discovered protein biomarkers that may help refine eligibility for lung cancer screening with LDCT.

Work Must Persist to Further Lung Cancer Screening and Equity

Studies show that while expansion of guideline eligibility did not reduce disparities, state policies may hold the key to improving screening rates.

New Lung Cancer Screening Guideline Increases Eligibility

The new lung cancer screening guideline, published in the ACS flagship journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, recommends that primary care or specialty care providers refer 50 to 80-year-olds for yearly screening with LDCT if they currently smoke or used to smoke, have a 20-pack-year or more smoking history, and are in reasonably good health, without any symptoms of lung cancer. 

How does the new guideline differ from the previously published guideline?

Read more about the Guideline Update

Treatment Studies

Mapping Mitochondria's “Dance” May Be a Path to Starving NSCLC

With multiple imaging techniques and AI, scientists create 3D stories about how mitochondria fuel tumors. The sequel? How to turn off the power source.

Promising Lab Results May Kickstart NSCLCs Clinical Trials

Study shows a combo of two existing medicines shrink tumors in mice with certain non-small cell lung cancers—clinical trials in humans may follow soon.

Improving Precision Therapies for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Promising results from mice studies testing a drug on lung cancers that previously had not responded to treatment led to phase 1 clinical trials in people.

Mini Mouse Lung Organoids Offer New Lab Model for Research

Researchers developed a tiny 3D replica (organoid model) from healthy mouse lung cells to study early steps after KRAS gene mutations in lung cancer.

Featured Term: Deep-learning

A family of machine-learning models based on layers of artificial neural networks, which can be a combination of hardware and software. It requires massive data sets to train machines to do what the brain does naturally. 
 
Deep-learning systems permit a machine to train itself and create new content—like images, text, or audio. See also machine learning.
Go to the Glossary for Nonscientists

Survivorship Studies

Improving Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Survivors

Study leads to a clinical trial of virtual sessions to help people with early-stage lung cancer successfully transition from treatment to follow-up care.

Yoga Programs May Help Couples with Lung Cancer

Clinical trial: How yoga may improve symptoms and quality of life of patients and their partners during radiation treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Statistics on Racial Disparities 

#1

American Indian & Alaska Native (AIAN) populations:

Racial/ethnic group most likely to smoke

5x

higher incidence of lung cancer for
AIAN populations in
the Northern Plains
vs
the Southwest

Lung Cancer Research News

ACS Statistics Reports  

Helpful Resources

We Fund Cancer Researchers Across the US

The American Cancer Society funds scientists who conduct research about cancer at medical schools, universities, research institutes, and hospitals throughout the United States. We use a rigorous and independent peer review process to select the most innovative research projects proposals to fund. 

Stats on the left are as of February 20, 2025.

96

lung cancer ACS grants

$72M

ACS funding for lung cancer research

Help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

 
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