International Women's Day graphic with blue background

Each year, International Women’s Day celebrates the accomplishments of women worldwide while recognizing that change is still needed to make the world an equitable place for all genders. GO2 for Lung Cancer is a women-founded and women-led organization, and one of its important initiatives is to help discover why lung cancer disproportionately affects women. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women – more than breast and gynecological cancers combined. Two-thirds of never-smokers diagnosed are women. Lung cancer receives the least federal funding for cancers affecting women. At GO2, we dedicate ourselves to changing these alarming statistics primarily through advocacy and research. 

 Elected officials need to be made aware of the research funding gap between lung cancer and other cancers. Later this month, advocates will gather in our nation’s capital at our annual Lung Cancer Voices Summit to ask Congress for $60 million for the Lung Cancer Research Program. Increased funding means better research and more breakthroughs. 

Legislation focused on lung cancer’s disparate effect on women is imperative. The Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act, a bipartisan bill first introduced in 2021, is a recent example. We continue to push for its passing in the 118th Congress to help further our understanding of how lung cancer affects women and improve screening, care and public awareness.  

Uncovering lung cancer disparities seen predominantly in women is made possible through research. The Sexual Health Assessment in Women with Lung Cancer (SHAWL) and Epidemiology of Young Lung Cancer (EoYLC) studies have been crucial in understanding the impact of lung cancer treatment on women’s sexual health and the increase of diagnoses in people under 50, respectively. 

This International Women’s Day, we recognize the great work done by women for the lung cancer community. By understanding how lung cancer affects women differently, we can help people survive and thrive. 

Read the stories of women impacted by the disease and learn how you can confront lung cancer.