As the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women, lung cancer is the most lethal of all types, taking more lives each year than all other major cancers combined. There are approximately 365,000 Americans living with lung cancer, with an estimated 219,440 men and women in the United States expected to receive a diagnosis of lung cancer this year, and more than 159,350 expected to die from the disease. Given the prevalence of lung cancer among the American population, it has been estimated that approximately $9.6 billion per year is spent on lung cancer treatment in the United States. There are two major types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Of all lung cancer diagnoses, SCLC accounts for approximately 13% while NSCLC accounts for the remaining 87%. Although several factors have been shown to contribute to the development of lung cancer, smoking and environmental/occupational exposure to carcinogens may be among the most prevalent. For example, smoking has been recognized as the main contributing factor in the development of SCLC and NSCLC, leading to approximately 80-90% of lung cancer deaths. In fact, nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 20-30% increased risk of developing lung cancer. In addition to smoking, exposure to environmental/occupational carcinogens including asbestos, uranium, and radon also contribute to lung cancer development, with radon exposure estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer.
The Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) was established in fiscal year 2009 (FY09) to promote innovative and competitive research focused on the development of integrated components to identify, treat, and manage early curable lung cancer, and the establishment of a tissue bank. The FY09 appropriation is $20 million. Due to the increase in tobacco use among young active duty military personnel compared to the general public, as well as exposure to unique carcinogens such as agent orange, depleted uranium, and ionizing radiation, the FY10 LCRP will focus its funding on the development of an early detection program for military beneficiaries. The goal of the LCRP is to eradicate deaths from lung cancer in order to better the health and welfare of the military and the American public. As such, the LCRP will support and integrate research from multiple disciplines for the early detection, diagnosis, prevention, cure, and control of lung cancer.
Congressional Appropriations
- $47.8 million in FY09-11
- $10.2 million in FY12
Funding Summary
- 30 Awards in FY09-10
- Previous Applications Recommended for Funding
Integration Panels
