I will soon introduce a resolution designating the second week of May as Lung Cancer Action Week and Turquoise Takeover in Pennsylvania.  

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cancer killer of men and women in both the United States and Pennsylvania. In fact, every 2 minutes, someone in the United States is told they have lung cancer, resulting in a quarter million Americans being diagnosed with lung cancer this year.

Although the lung cancer survival rate has increased 44% over the last 10 years, close to half of all people diagnosed with lung cancer do not even live one-year post-diagnosis. Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival rates compared to other major cancers and kills about 361 people each day.

In Pennsylvania alone there will be approximately 10,250 new cases of lung cancer and 5,820 deaths in 2025.

Luckily, we have seen vast improvement in early detection and treatment. It is proven that lung cancer screenings save lives, and advocacy and increased awareness will result in more high-risk individuals getting screened and seeking treatment.  

I hope you will join me in supporting this important resolution to bring awareness to this devastating issue and wear turquoise on May 6, 2025, in recognition of Lung Cancer Action Week.