Lung Cancer Research Foundation and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health - International Announce New Research Collaboration

Organizations join forces to fund research on the effects of air pollution and climate change in lung cancer

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International (OUCH-I) are partnering to fund projects that examine the impact of environmental pollution and climate change on lung cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes; along with innovative strategies to mitigate these effects. The program, titled OUCH-International and LCRF Research Grant Program on the Effects of Air Pollution and Climate Change on Carcinogenesis and Lung Cancer Prevalence, is sponsored by AstraZeneca. A $200,000 award over a two-year period will be granted, and the Request for Proposals will open early in 2026.

Increasing evidence indicates that air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer, and the number of estimated lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution has increased by nearly 30% since 2007, as smoking has decreased and air pollution has increased (Turner MC et al, CA Cancer J Clin, 2020). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (1 inch = 25,400 microns) as a cause of lung cancer (Straif K et al, IARC Press, 2013; Loomis D et al, Lancet Oncol, 2013; GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators, Lancet, 2020). Data now show that exposure to pollution—whether from industrial sources or wildfires—increases the risk of lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers (Hill et al, Nature, 2023). Globally, outdoor (ambient) air pollution is regarded as the second most important cause of lung cancer mortality, and indoor air pollution is considered the seventh most important cause (GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators, Lancet, 2020).

Air pollution causes many health hazards, can contribute to the development of lung cancer, and can worsen its prognosis. Awareness that exposure to air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for lung cancer needs to be at the forefront of the lung cancer community—to recognize its risks and to educate patients and the healthcare community at large.

"Understanding and identifying ways to mitigate the risk of developing lung cancer as a result of air pollution is a pressing issue," remarked Joan Schiller, MD, Founder of OUCH-International and long-time member of LCRF's Board of Directors. "Bringing together LCRF and OUCH-International to award these grants is an important step in increasing early detection of lung cancer. I'm grateful to AstraZeneca for sponsoring this very important program."

"AstraZeneca is proud to partner with LCRF and OUCH-International in such a crucial area of lung cancer research," said Nabil Chehab, Medical Affairs Head of AstraZeneca's Lung Cancer Franchise. "Unlocking the impacts of pollution and climate change on lung cancer will enable the oncology community to better support education, detection, diagnosis, and treatments for every patient at every stage. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance our understanding and enable another step forward toward increasing survival for people living with lung cancer."

"This collaboration will help us to understand how the air we breathe can increase our risk for developing lung cancer," said Aubrey Rhodes, Executive Director of LCRF. "Dr. Schiller and her OUCH-International colleagues' expertise and pursuit of solutions for the lung cancer community will help to improve the body of research that informs how lung cancer is detected, diagnosed, and treated."

About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) 

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation^® (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF's mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 431 research grants, totaling nearly $49 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit lcrf.org/research.

About Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International (OUCH-I)

OUCH is the only non-profit, nonpartisan volunteer cancer organization focused on mitigating the effects of climate change on cancer care. Our mission is to advance awareness, actions, and policies that mitigate the effects of climate change on cancer care, and our pillars include advocacy, education and outreach research, cancer care delivery, sustainability, and resilience, and climate justice and health equity. Our members include oncology health care professionals (e.g. MDs, PhDs, RNs, pharmacists, social workers, researchers, patient advocates) who are interested in mitigating the effects of climate change on cancer. We currently have over 150 members representing 27 states and 23 different countries, including six oncology professional societies.

Contact:

LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Sheila Sullivan
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
[email protected]

OUCH – INTERNATIONAL
Joan H. Schiller, MD
608-469-6992
[email protected]
ouchforclimate.org

SOURCE Lung Cancer Research Foundation