Congressman Brendan Boyle visited Fox Chase Cancer Center on May 1 to meet with clinicians, researchers, and advocates and highlight national efforts focused on lung cancer in women. The visit comes as bipartisan legislation aims to expand research, improve early detection, and raise awareness about how lung cancer affects women differently.
The topic is significant because lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Boyle said, “Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. This effort is about changing that reality.”
Physicians at Fox Chase and Temple Health are observing more cases of lung cancer among younger women who have never smoked or had traditional risk factors. This trend is influencing new approaches to screening and prevention. “This is something we see every day in our clinics and operating rooms,” said Su, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase. “It’s changing how we think about risk, how we approach screening, and how we design research.”
Fox Chase works with the Temple Lung Center to expand access to early detection through a comprehensive program using low-dose CT scans for earlier diagnosis. Patients are supported by nurse navigators throughout their care journey. Su said, “Early detection changes everything. When we find lung cancer early, we have more options, and in many cases, the potential to cure.”
Fox Chase Cancer Center offers clinical trials and advanced treatments as a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive center while researchers study why some patients respond differently to therapies like immunotherapy.
Boyle’s visit reflects growing recognition that tackling this disease requires more research funding and better-coordinated care for patients nationwide.
Located in Philadelphia since its founding in 1904, Fox Chase Cancer Center reported conducting over 5,000 surgeries and admitting nearly 3,500 patients for treatment during 2022 according to their annual report.
Su concluded: “We see you, we hear you, and we are committed to doing better.”
