Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI)

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., yet it is one of the most under-screened cancers. Despite the proven effectiveness of low-dose CT scans in detecting lung cancer early—when treatment is most successful—screening rates remain alarmingly low, with only 5%-15% of eligible individuals getting screened.

Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) launched the Screening Saves program in North Carolina to tackle this issue by improving access, education, and support for lung cancer screenings. Early detection significantly improves outcomes: the five-year survival rate exceeds 60% when caught early, compared to just 8% for late-stage diagnoses. However, systemic barriers, stigma, and misinformation continue to limit screening uptake.

A major challenge is the stigma tied to lung cancer’s association with smoking, which causes many individuals to delay or avoid screening. Other barriers include lack of awareness about screening eligibility, cost concerns (despite insurance coverage), limited access in rural areas, and fear or misunderstanding about the screening process.

The Screening Saves program addresses these challenges by partnering with community organizations, educating healthcare providers and patients, and using patient navigators to guide individuals through the process. The goal is to normalize lung cancer screening and ensure that high-risk individuals are informed, supported, and empowered to take action.

Everyone can help by checking their screening eligibility, talking to their healthcare provider, and spreading awareness. Increasing lung cancer screening saves lives—early detection makes all the difference.

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., yet it remains under-screened despite the effectiveness of low-dose CT scans. The Lung Cancer Initiative's Screening Saves program in North Carolina aims to improve access, education, and support for screenings. Early detection significantly enhances survival rates, but barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and limited access persist. The program collaborates with community organizations and healthcare providers to address these challenges, aiming to normalize screening and empower high-risk individuals to take proactive steps.

Breaking Barriers: Why Increasing Lung Screening is Critical

Lung Cancer Initiative has appointed Neal Ready, MD, PhD, as its first Chief Scientific Officer: © stock.adobe.com.

Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) has appointed Neal Ready, MD, PhD, as its first Chief Scientific Officer. A longtime leader at LCI and medical oncologist at Duke Cancer Institute, Dr. Ready will guide the organization’s research efforts and strengthen its impact on lung cancer care. “Dr. Ready’s leadership and passion have shaped our programs since the beginning,” said Amy Cipau, LCI’s president and founder.

LCI also announced $200,000 in research funding for 2025, including its $150,000 Career Development Award and two $25,000 Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Awards.

Career Development Award Recipient:
• Dr. Eziafa Oduah, Duke University School of Medicine

Project: Investigating the Impact of Intratumoral PCSK9 on Antigen Presentation in NSCLC
Her study explores whether targeting the PCSK9 protein can enhance immune response and improve immunotherapy effectiveness for lung cancer patients.

LCI announced $200,000 in research funding.

Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Award Recipients:

Dr. Robert Meyerhoff, Duke UniversityProject: Transcriptome Profiling of Functional Anti-Tumor B Cells in NSCLC This research aims to identify novel therapeutic antibodies for personalized immunotherapies.

Dr. Yuming Jiang, Wake Forest University
Project: AI for Predicting Recurrence in Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Dr. Jiang’s model uses deep learning on pathology images to more accurately predict recurrence and inform treatment plans.

Since 2008, LCI has invested over $3.4 million in lung cancer research, supporting innovative projects that improve diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Neal Ready, MD, PhD, has been appointed as the first Chief Scientific Officer of the Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI), where he will lead research efforts to enhance lung cancer care. LCI announced $200,000 in research funding for 2025, including a $150,000 Career Development Award and two $25,000 Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Awards. The funding supports projects investigating PCSK9's role in immunotherapy, anti-tumor B cells for personalized therapies, and AI models for predicting lung cancer recurrence. Since 2008, LCI has invested over $3.4 million in lung cancer research.

LCI has appointed Neal Ready, MD, PhD, as its first Chief Scientific Officer.

Lung Cancer Initiative Names New Chief Scientific Officer and Announces 2025 Research Award Recipients

LCI proudly participated in the GO2 Voices Summit.

Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) proudly participated in the GO2 Voices Summit held March 9–11, 2025, in Washington, DC. Representing LCI, Board Member Dr. Bradley Icard and Development Director Susan Kjellqvist joined advocates from across the nation to call for increased federal support for lung cancer research and to strengthen our advocacy skills.

Alongside fellow North Carolina constituents, they urged lawmakers to:

Pass a FY2025 spending bill with maximum cancer research funding.

Allocate $60 million to the Lung Cancer Research Program under the Department ofDefense’s CDMRP.

Support robust funding for the NIH, NCI, ARPA-H, and FDA.

They also advocated for two key legislative efforts:

Re-introduction of the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventative Services Act.

Co-sponsorship of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 842/S. 339).

A highlight of the Summit was connecting with other passionate advocates, united by a shared commitment to fighting lung cancer. Together, they made it clear to Congress that cuts to research funding are unacceptable. Continued investment in lung cancer research has already saved lives—now is the time to build on that momentum, not risk it.

As we move forward, LCI remains dedicated to empowering the lung cancer community and championing the urgent need for sustained, increased funding. The future of research—and the lives it can save—depends on it.

https://lungcancerinitiative.org/lci-shows-support-for-research-funding-at-the-go2-voices-summit/

The Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) actively participated in the GO2 Voices Summit in Washington, DC, advocating for increased federal support for lung cancer research. LCI representatives, including Dr. Bradley Icard and Susan Kjellqvist, joined other advocates to urge lawmakers to pass a FY2025 spending bill with maximum cancer research funding and allocate $60 million to the Lung Cancer Research Program. They also supported key legislative efforts, such as the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventative Services Act and the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. LCI remains committed to empowering the lung cancer community.

Lung Cancer Initiative proudly participated in the GO2 Voices Summit held March 9–11, 2025, in Washington, DC.

LCI Shows Support for Lung Cancer Research Funding at GO2 Voices Summit

On January 15, individuals gathered for the Air Matters: Radon & The Environment Community Education Event.

On January 15, community members, health professionals, and environmental advocates gathered for the Air Matters: Radon & The Environment Community Education Event. This vital discussion highlighted the connections between radon, lung health, and the broader impacts of climate change

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, forms during the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It seeps into homes through foundations, basements, and private well water, creating an invisible but significant health risk.

The Long-Term Effects of Radon and Air Pollution

Joan Schiller, MD, a distinguished oncology and environmental health expert, opened the discussion by explaining the pervasive health risks linked to radon and air pollution. She highlighted how radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, responsible for over 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Dr. Schiller also addressed how pollutants like particulate matter (PM 2.5) exacerbate respiratory illnesses and cancer risks, particularly in children, non-smokers, and other vulnerable groups. She emphasized that these risks are further intensified by environmental factors like wildfires and climate change.

Her message was clear: protecting public health requires urgent action to reduce radon exposure and improve air quality, both locally and globally.

The Air Matters: Radon & The Environment Community Education Event brought together various stakeholders to discuss the health risks associated with radon and air pollution. Radon, a radioactive gas from uranium decay, poses a significant health threat, being the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Dr. Joan Schiller emphasized the compounded risks of radon and pollutants like PM 2.5, especially in vulnerable populations. The event underscored the urgent need for measures to mitigate radon exposure and enhance air quality to protect public health.

Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI)

Breaking Barriers: Why Increasing Lung Screening is Critical

Lung Cancer Initiative Names New Chief Scientific Officer and Announces 2025 Research Award Recipients

LCI Shows Support for Lung Cancer Research Funding at GO2 Voices Summit

Air Matters: Radon and the Environment

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