Lung cancer news

When Rachel S. talks about her mom, Jan, you can still feel the energy she brought into every room. Jan was hilarious, dramatic in the best way, endlessly curious, and deeply kind, the type of person who made everyone feel special. She loved through food, through knitting, and through gathering people together.

In late September 2024, Rachel and her family were blindsided by a stage 4 (IV) lung cancer diagnosis. Just months later, on January 17, 2025, Jan passed away. The loss was sudden and devastating, but her spark never faded.

Today, Rachel and her family honor Jan’s life by coming together each year at GO2’s Sacramento 5K Walk/Run in her memory, turning grief into connection and action. We sat down with Rachel to learn more about her mom’s life, legacy, and the impact she continues to have on everyone who loved her.

Tell us about Jan

If I were introducing my mom at a gathering, there’s a strong chance people would already know her – or she would have already made herself known. She was genuinely hilarious. The kind of person who could tell a story and have an entire table crying with laughter. She was loud in the best way, dramatic, animated, obsessed with true crime, and completely unafraid to strike up a conversation with anyone. People loved her. I mean truly loved her. She had fans. But underneath all of that personality was someone deeply kind and interested in people. She made you feel special. That was her magic.

What were some of the things she was most passionate about – hobbies, traditions, routines, or little quirks that made her her?

After I left for college, her best friend taught her to knit. That turned into hundreds of beanies and blankets for family, friends, grandchildren – even cancer organizations. She was also the quintessential Jewish mom – an incredible cook and host. Holidays and gatherings at our house were sacred. Feeding people was how she loved them.

Can you share a moment or memory that feels especially representative of who she was?

My mom would move mountains for my sister and me. In 1998 she surprised us with Backstreet Boys tickets and a trip to Las Vegas – and then surprised us again with a second night and front row seats. That kind of over-the-top joy was so her. After she passed, they announced a Vegas residency, and my dad, sister, and I went. It felt like she made it happen.

When she was diagnosed, what do you remember most about that time – emotionally or practically — for your family?

It was a living nightmare. One day she was healthy, and the next we were told it was stage 4 (IV) lung cancer. By the time we had answers in late September, tumors had fractured her spine, and she was in bed until she passed on January 17, 2025.

Everything was hard. She couldn’t move, so every appointment required enormous coordination. We were incredibly fortunate to have neighbors and lifelong friends who stepped up in extraordinary ways.

Even with that support, it was overwhelming. There are so many unknowns with a diagnosis like this, which is why guidance and community around lung cancer matter so much.

How did she approach life in the months that followed her diagnosis?

She was still herself. Sassy. Funny. Curious. Even from bed, she wanted to know all of the gossip. She still made jokes. That spark never left her.  

What kind of impact did she have on her family, friends, and neighbors?

The number of people who showed up for her and for us told me everything I needed to know about her impact.

She built real relationships. With neighbors. With lifelong friends. With our friends. With people she met once and somehow remembered forever. She made people feel seen and important. That kind of energy doesn’t disappear.

Since her passing, how have you seen her legacy live on in your family or community?

Her knitting is everywhere. Her recipes are still in rotation. We still host. We still gather.

But more than anything, she changed how we live. There’s a depth now. A perspective you don’t get unless you’ve experienced loss like this. We don’t sweat the small stuff the same way anymore.

Can you describe what motivated you to participate in   GO2’s Sacramento 5K Walk/Run in her honor?

Grief is disorienting. I needed community and I needed direction. I needed to turn heartbreak into action. If I couldn’t save my mom, I wanted to help save someone else’s. Leading the 5K in her honor felt like the most meaningful way to do that.

What does it mean to you to have family and friends come together at this event to celebrate her life?

We formed our team just a month after she passed. It was still so raw, but we needed it.

Seeing that many people show up for her – walking, donating, wearing her name – was incredibly healing. It reminded us how much she meant and that we were helping fund real progress in her honor.

How does this event help shift the narrative around lung cancer from loss and stigma to community, celebration, and hope?

Cancer is everywhere. It’s happening younger. It’s happening to nonsmokers. It’s happening to people who “did everything right. “Events like this help dissolve isolation. They replace stigma with community. They remind families that they are not alone. And, they fund real progress.

Grief can be incredibly lonely. This makes it collective, and collective grief can become collective hope.

If you had to sum up what you hope readers understand about your mom, what would you want them to take away?

There will never be enough time with the people we love. My mom lived loudly, generously, and with joy. I hope people step away from the noise of daily life and remember that right now is what we have. Don’t wait to show up. Don’t wait to say the thing. Live bigger while you can.

Honor your loved ones by joining a GO2 5K Walk/Run near you, or by starting your own team. Every step helps fund programs, research, and resources that ensure no one faces lung cancer alone. Find an event and join us!   

‍

Lung Cancer Voices Summit Calls on Congress: Support Research. Save Lives.

Washington, D.C. — February 25, 2026 — On March 3, GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) will convene more than 200 people impacted by lung cancer on Capitol Hill for its annual Lung Cancer Voices Summit, elevating patient voices and urging Congress to take immediate action to address the nation’s leading cause of cancer death. With more than 230,000 Americans expected to be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, advocates are calling for increased federal investment in research that saves lives.

Participants include people living with lung cancer, survivors, caregivers, veterans, and families, alongside clinicians, researchers, and healthcare experts. GO2 is joined by partners from across the lung cancer community—including biomarker groups, research foundations, advocacy organizations, and patient-led initiatives—representing the full spectrum of expertise and lived experience. United around a shared mission, this community is meeting with lawmakers to advocate for $60 million in dedicated funding for the Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) in the FY 2027 federal budget and to deliver a clear message: sustained investment in lung cancer research, awareness, and support saves lives.

“People’s lives are at stake, and we need funding and support now,” said GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Co-Interim Chief Executive Officer Danielle Hicks. “We see firsthand the consequences of underinvestment. Lung cancer remains the single largest cancer killer in the United States, yet it continues to receive disproportionately low levels of federal research funding. That must change.”

Keynote speaker Christine M. Lovly, MD, PhD, FASCO, division chief of thoracic medical oncology, professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, emphasized both the scientific urgency of sustained funding and the strength of collective advocacy.

“We are at a pivotal moment in lung cancer research and patient care,” said Dr. Lovly. “Scientific advancements are transforming how we understand and treat this disease, but progress is slowed by persistent barriers, including both insufficient funding for research and unequal patient access to the innovations that arise from our nation’s research efforts. Sustained investment in lung cancer research is essential to accelerate breakthroughs and ensure patients benefit from discoveries as quickly as possible. When the lung cancer community comes together, we create the momentum needed to drive real change.”

Despite lung cancer’s status as the leading cause of cancer-related death, federal investment in research remains inconsistent and vulnerable to shifting budget priorities. Recent funding negotiations have created uncertainty for medical research programs nationwide.  

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, the lung cancer community is united in calling on Congress to fully restore and increase funding for the Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) to $60 million within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense. This investment is essential to reverse the harmful impact of the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution, which:

• Enacted a 57 percent reduction to overall CDMRP funding; and

• Eliminated dedicated funding for the LCRP in FY 2025.

Without restored and sustained investment, promising research may stall, innovation may slow, and patients could face delays in accessing lifesaving breakthroughs.

Reflecting on the unified voice of the summit, Dr. Lovly added, “The best testament to the value of getting this right is more family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones who are living longer with a better quality of life. Together, the lung cancer community can create better treatments and more opportunities.”

“Patients cannot wait,” Hicks said. “Every delay in funding means delayed progress, delayed treatments, and lives lost. Congress has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to act.”

On February 6th, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Median Technologies’ eyonis Lung Cancer Screening (LCS), a medical device used for the combined detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. eyonis LCS is an AI-based technology designed to support the earlier detection of lung cancer by helping clinicians identify and characterize pulmonary (lung) nodules on low-dose CT (LDCT) scans.  

In performance testing, eyonis LCS demonstrated a:  

• 93.3% sensitivity, which means that if 100 people actually have lung cancer, the device will correctly identify about 93 of them. In other words, the device reliably detects cancer when it is present.

• 92.4% specificity, which means that if 100 people don’t have lung cancer, the device will correctly identify about 92 of them as cancer-free. In other words, the device largely avoids false alarms.

• 99.9% negative predictive value, which means that if the device says you don’t have cancer, there’s a 99.9% chance you truly don’t have it. In other words, a negative result is highly reliable.

These outcomes demonstrate the powerful potential for eyonis LCS to be used as a tool to enhance lung screening programs by improving screening accuracy, while reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures. The ability to detect suspicious pulmonary nodules earlier may also help clinicians diagnose lung cancer at earlier stages more frequently, where patient outcomes can be significantly improved.

If you or a loved one is eligible for lung cancer screening, ask your healthcare team about eyonis LCS. For questions about lung cancer treatments, trials, or biomarker testing, contact our LungMATCH team at support@go2.org or 1-800-298-2436.   

Read the FDA approval.  

Innovative “SDM Circles” program integrates restorative justice practices to address medical mistrust and improve lung cancer screening among Black communities

WASHINGTON, DC – February 12, 2026 – GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) has received support from AstraZeneca US through its 2025 Accelerate Change Together (ACT) on Health Equity: National Strategic Collaborations for Integrating Restorative Practices to Enhance Shared Decision-Making and Uptake of Lung Cancer Screening Among Black Community Members, or SDM Circles.

The awarded initiative pilots an innovative, community-engaged approach to lung cancer screening that embeds restorative justice practices into shared decision-making conversations. The program is designed to address long-standing disparities in lung cancer screening access and outcomes driven by systemic racism, structural inequities, and medical mistrust.

Led by GO2, in partnership with healthcare systems across the Seattle and greater Puget Sound region, the initiative centers on trust-building, dialogue, and culturally responsive education. Through facilitated SDM Circles, the program creates space for healing, shared understanding, and empowerment during required screening discussions, aiming to increase knowledge, readiness, and uptake of lung cancer screening among Black community members. Findings from this pilot will inform a scalable, equity-driven model that could improve early lung cancer detection nationwide.  

Although Black Americans have a lower incidence of lung cancer compared to White Americans, they experience significantly lower 5-year survival rates, and lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among Black Americans.

“For too long, conversations about lung cancer screening have failed to account for the lived experiences, historical trauma, and systemic barriers faced by Black communities,” said GO2’s Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer Joelle Fathi, DNP, RN, ARNP, CTTS, FAANP, FAAN. “By integrating restorative justice into shared decision-making, this program meets people where they are, rebuilds trust, and creates space for honest dialogue. This funding allows us to pilot a model that doesn’t just improve screening rates but also has the potential to transform how healthcare systems engage underserved communities in meaningful, lasting ways.”

As part of ACT on Health Equity, AstraZeneca US is working to improve access, affordability, and outcomes for all people in the disease areas and communities it serves. This contribution stems from AstraZeneca US’s commitment to advancing health equity and fostering a healthy society and people by focusing on eliminating disparities in care. Funding will support community engagement, facilitate restorative SDM sessions, and conduct evaluations to assess feasibility, acceptability, and early outcomes, laying the groundwork for a scalable model that advances equitable, culturally responsive lung cancer screening.

Through ACT on Health Equity, AstraZeneca US has provided $18 million in contributions to over 160 nonprofit organizations across the country dedicated to advancing health equity by supporting community-based programming that prioritizes the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of communities that have experienced barriers to care and opportunity.

Today marks a huge step for improving the lives of everyone affected by lung cancer. S. 1157, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act, advances with a favorable vote in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, building on the progress of its companion bill in the House, H.R. 2316, which passed last spring. This marks a critical step toward improving outcomes for women and families affected by lung cancer. We thank Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and bill sponsors Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along with House sponsors Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), for their strong bipartisan leadership in advancing this critical legislation.

With the bill now reported out of the committee of jurisdiction, Congress must act swiftly by bringing it to a vote in both chambers and passing it into law this year. Join us—urge your members of Congress to vote now to pass the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025.

For more information, please contact GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Senior Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Elridge Proctor, MPA (eproctor@go2.org).

A groundbreaking new open-access textbook, “Lung Cancer Navigation and Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Navigators and Allied Health Professionals,” is now available. As the first site-specific, comprehensive clinical guide for lung cancer navigation, the textbook equips navigators and allied health professionals with foundational knowledge, evidence-based practices, and practical tools to elevate the quality of lung cancer care and improve outcomes for people at risk for or living with the disease.  

The textbook is co-edited by GO2 for Lung Cancer’s (GO2) Joelle Fathi, DNP, RN, ARNP, FAAN, Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer, and Meg Fay Mortman, RN, BSN, ONN-CG, Nurse Manager. It features 22 chapters written by 41 subject matter experts, including GO2 Global Advisory Council members Dr. Hossein Borghaei and Dr. Debra Dyer.  

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and worldwide. The new guide responds to the urgent need for timely, evidence-based, person-centered care, particularly for historically marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the disease due to social determinants of health.  

Each chapter is authored by multidisciplinary experts and provides in-depth evidence-based and current content, real-world vignettes, key takeaways, curated readings, and actionable resources. Together, they offer a practical roadmap to guide patients through screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and supportive care.  

“This textbook addresses a significant gap in lung cancer care,” said Fathi. “For the first time, there is a comprehensive, evidence-based guide created specifically for lung cancer navigators and allied health professionals. This is a vital tool for the professionals supporting patients every day.”

The guide directly addresses the disproportionate impact of lung cancer on Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. These are populations that face higher risk, later-stage diagnoses, reduced access to innovation, and poorer outcomes. It highlights how navigation, particularly when delivered by culturally aligned professionals, plays a crucial role in closing these gaps and advancing equitable care.

Mary M. Pasquinelli, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CTTS, University of Illinois Chicago, who has been nationally recognized for her leadership in advancing early detection and equitable access to lung cancer screening, emphasized the importance of this resource. Under her guidance, UI Health’s lung cancer screening program has become a national model for inclusive, community-based care, ensuring more cancers are found at earlier, treatable stages.

“This guide equips clinicians and navigators with essential tools,” Pasquinelli said. “They can bridge the gap between rapidly evolving science and what happens in care delivery. It will directly improve the timeliness, quality, and equity of lung cancer care.”

The book also centers on the lived experiences of patients and families, an indispensable foundation of effective navigation.  

“Through my experience supporting my mother during her lung cancer care, I saw how impactful nurse navigators can be,” said Amita Jain, lung cancer survivor and patient advocate. “Although we did not change her medical plan, the guidance and information they provided were invaluable to our family. This resource will help ensure patients and caregivers receive clear communication, support, and dignity throughout the cancer journey.”

As advances such as biomarker testing, targeted therapies, precision medicine, minimally invasive surgery, and updated screening guidelines rapidly transform lung cancer care, effective navigation is essential to ensure all patients benefit equitably.  

“We created this resource to empower the professionals who are transformational partners in the screening and cancer care experience—navigators, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, community health workers, and other allied health professionals,” Fathi added. “Our hope is that this guide helps unify practice, drive equitable outcomes, and accelerate the integration of life-saving innovations into everyday care.”  

Key features of Lung Cancer Navigation and Care

• The first and only site-specific comprehensive guide dedicated to lung cancer navigation  
• Expert-authored chapters spanning the full care continuum, from screening high-risk populations through survivorship  
• Practical tools, including vignettes, key takeaways, curated readings, and actionable resources  
• Strategies for addressing social determinants of health and reducing disparities in lung cancer outcomes  
• Guidance for integrating navigators and allied health professionals into multidisciplinary care models  
• Open-access format, ensuring global availability and equitable dissemination  

Ideal for clinical teams, academic programs, and community-based organizations, “Lung Cancer Navigation and Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Navigators and Allied Health Professionals” provides the latest evidence, comprehensive guidance, and practical insights to support high-quality, patient-centered care. Access the textbook today.

On December 17, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rybrevant Faspro (amivantamab and hyaluronidase-lpuj) for subcutaneous injection, commonly known as a shot. This approval included all the same uses of Rybrevant (amivantamab) that the FDA previously approved for adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have an EGFR mutation.  

This latest approval is based on the results of the PALOMA-3 study, which compared the use of Rybrevant Faspro (amivantamab and hyaluronidase-lpuj) given by a shot (injection) under the skin versus traditional Rybrevant (amivantamab), which is given as an infusion into the bloodstream (intravenous/IV). People given Rybrevant Faspro (amivantamab and hyaluronidase-lpuj) as a shot received the drug over approximately 5 minutes compared to the standard IV, which can sometimes take a few hours.   

The study showed both administration methods to be equally effective, and individuals receiving Rybrevant Faspro (amivantamab and hyaluronidase-lpuj) by injection experienced significantly fewer administration-related reactions. This latest approval offers greatly improved patient convenience in receiving treatment and lowers the burden of healthcare resources needed.

Please speak with your healthcare team for more information about Rybrevant Faspro (amivantamab and hyaluronidase-lpuj) to see if it may be a good option for you. If you have questions about treatment, trials, or biomarker testing, contact our LungMATCH team at support@go2.org or 1-800-298-2436.   

Read the full FDA announcement.

We are finally seeing a growing drumbeat of reports about lung cancer screening that reflect the real-world experiences of people facing this disease. These reports confirm what doctors, patients, and advocates like GO2 for Lung Cancer have been saying for far too long: our current lung cancer screening system is not meeting the needs of the people it is supposed to protect. While it is heartening to see these screening gaps acknowledged, it also shines a light on the sobering reality that today’s screening criteria are not including those most at risk, leaving too many people without access to early detection when it could make the greatest difference.

Stories like Jessie Creel’s, a healthy 42-year-old never smoker diagnosed at stage 4 (IV), are devastating, but they are not unusual. Every day at GO2, we hear from families who were told they did not qualify for screening, only to learn they had advanced disease. The new data highlighted in reporting from the Washington Post confirms what our community experiences firsthand. The criteria are too narrow, too limited, and out of step with who is actually developing lung cancer today.

Women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with no significant smoking history are being left out. And when they are excluded, they are diagnosed at a later stage, when treatment becomes far more complex, and outcomes are significantly worse.

For years, GO2 has urged federal leaders to modernize screening criteria, so they reflect today’s science. We have consistently recommended that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) update screening eligibility in ways that mirror evidence-based guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Cancer Society (ACS). These approaches take a broader view of risk and stay in sync with what patients and clinicians see every day, including family history, lung disease, radon exposure, occupational hazards, and environmental exposures.

We are especially concerned that the USPSTF process requires 5 years just to begin its review cycle and often 7 or more years to complete it. Lung cancer patients simply do not have that kind of time. Following the ACS’s November 2023 update removing the 15-year quit-time criterion, GO2 led a multi-stakeholder letter formally requesting that the USPSTF initiate an expedited review. Despite clear evidence and growing urgency, that request has not been acted upon, and the next scheduled cycle will not reach its 5-year mark until 2026. Every year of delay keeps thousands of people from accessing screening that could save their lives.

Until the United States adopts a truly population-based approach to lung cancer screening, updating eligibility to reflect today’s science is essential. We cannot continue using outdated criteria that miss most cases and leave too many patients facing a much harder fight.

From breakthroughs in science to compassion in care, the honorees at this year’s Simply the Best Gala embodied the hope, innovation, and resilience that define our community. Held in San Francisco on Nov. 15, 2025, the event marked GO2 for Lung Cancer’s 20th anniversary, celebrating 2 decades of progress, partnership, and purpose in transforming the future of lung cancer care, advocacy, and research. It also marked another historic milestone as it was 30 years ago that our organization was founded. The evening was hosted by Emily Bennett Taylor, an inspiring lung cancer survivor and advocate who was diagnosed with stage 4 (IV) lung cancer at just 28 years old. Now cancer-free for over 12 years, Emily is a mother of 3 and a passionate voice for awareness and hope. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible through research, resilience, and community. GO2 President and CEO Laurie Ambrose reflected on the milestone: “As we celebrate 2 decades of relentless commitment to improving the lives of people with lung cancer, these honorees represent the best of what our community stands for — courage, innovation, and hope. Their work inspires us all to continue pushing boundaries until no one has to face lung cancer alone.” This year’s gala included a special tribute to GO2 Co-Founder Bonnie J. Addario, whose vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication helped change the course of lung cancer advocacy with the presentation of the inaugural Bonnie J. Addario Legacy Award. Bonnie’s belief that every person’s life has value, and every patient’s voice matters continues to drive GO2’s mission forward.

Honoring leadership, innovation, and hope

GO2 Excellence Award in Advancing Innovative Precision Medicine

Boehringer IngelheimBoehringer Ingelheim was recognized for its pioneering work in precision oncology, advancing targeted therapies that redefine how lung cancer is understood and treated. Through groundbreaking research and patient-centered innovation, the company continues to improve outcomes and quality of life for people worldwide.

GO2 Bonnie J. Addario Legacy Award

The Young Lung Cancer Initiative (YLCI)Co-Founders: Bianca Bye and Leah PhillipsThe Young Lung Cancer Initiative was honored for empowering and connecting young adults affected by lung cancer. Co-founders Bianca Bye and Leah Phillips turned personal loss and lived experience into purpose, creating a community that challenges misconceptions, builds awareness, and ensures that no young person faces lung cancer alone.

GO2 Rays of Hope Award for Excellence in Community Engagement and Awareness

Bryant Lin, MD, MEngPrimary Care Physician, Educator, and Researcher, Stanford University Dr. Bryant Lin was celebrated for his leadership in raising awareness of lung cancer and advancing health equity. As co-founder of Stanford’s Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE), he has worked tirelessly to improve outcomes among Asian populations and shine a light on lung cancer in people with no smoking history, driven in part by his own experience with the disease.

GO2 Excellence Award in Advancing Early Detection

Mary M. Pasquinelli, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CTTSDirector, Lung Screening Program at UI Health; Co-Director, Lung Screening & Prevention, University of Illinois (UI), ChicagoDr. Mary Pasquinelli was honored for her national leadership in advancing early detection and equitable access to lung cancer screening. Under her guidance, UI Health’s program has become a model for inclusive, community-based care, saving lives by ensuring more cancers are found at earlier, treatable stages.

GO2 Caregiver Award for Excellence in Improving Quality of Life

Darren OgilvieDarren Ogilvie was recognized for his extraordinary compassion and devotion as a caregiver to his wife during her lung cancer journey. His quiet strength, love, and grace reflect the heart of caregiving—showing up every day with tenderness and courage, and reminding us all of the power of human connection.

A night to remember

As guests reflected on 3 decades of progress, there was also a shared sense of purpose for the future. From scientists and caregivers to survivors and advocates, the GO2 community remains committed to advancing research, improving access, and ensuring that everyone affected by lung cancer has the hope and support they need to continue transforming lung cancer survival.