Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025

Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025

This bill focuses on improving lung cancer detection, prevention, and research specifically as it relates to women. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, and this legislation aims to address gaps in how the disease is studied and screened for in female patients. The bill works within existing federal health programs to expand access to lung cancer screening services and support research into how lung cancer affects women differently than men.

One of the key components of the bill is ensuring that more women have access to preventive lung cancer screenings, such as low-dose CT scans, particularly those who may be at risk. It may also work to improve coverage or remove barriers that currently prevent some women from getting these screenings through federal health programs. Additionally, the bill promotes dedicated research into the unique ways lung cancer develops and progresses in women, since women who have never smoked are diagnosed with lung cancer at notably higher rates than men who have never smoked, suggesting there are biological and environmental factors that are not yet fully understood.

The bill primarily affects women who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with lung cancer, as well as healthcare providers, researchers, and federal health agencies involved in cancer prevention and treatment. It has advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support via a voice vote and has been placed on the Union Calendar, meaning it is eligible for a full House vote. No official cost estimates or implementation details have been publicly released at this stage.