New Momentum Research Award Targets Lung Cancer in Women

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and the American Lung Association are collaborating to create a new research award to fund innovative and transformational research with the potential for high clinical impact in diagnostic and treatment options for lung cancer in women. The Momentum Research Award: Defeating Lung Cancer in Women is a two-year, $250,000 award designed to drive understanding of gender differences in lung cancer incidence, pathophysiology, treatment outcomes and prognoses.

"Over the last few decades, the rate of new lung cancer cases has approximately doubled among women while decreasing about 30 percent among men. The need for this lifesaving research and momentum is clear," said Bonnie Addario, 11-year lung cancer survivor and founder of the Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI). "Historically, there have been large gender gaps in scientific research, and this limits how much we know about the difference between women's health and men's. This new research award will help address this gap and save lives. The five year survival rate for women with lung cancer is only one in five, and we need to change that."

This is the first joint award between the two organizations and will support an early career scientist to conduct research investigating the particular burden of lung cancer among women. The award is intended to identify brilliant, early career "out-of-the-box" thinkers/researchers who can deliver a meaningful and measurable result examining the unique problem of lung cancer in women.

"Lung cancer is not just the top cancer killer for both men and women, the startling truth is that the average 5-year survival for lung cancer is among the lowest of all types of cancer," said Harold P. Wimmer, American Lung Association National President and CEO. "New treatment options are desperately and urgently needed to save lives, and we're proud to partner with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation to fund promising lung cancer research that could dramatically impact the lives of patients and newly diagnosed."

For media interested in speaking with an expert about lung cancer, lung cancer research and the new Momentum Research award, contact the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation at [email protected] or 916-658-0144, or the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7628.

About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating Lung Cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation's goal is to work with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, patients, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change and turn lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. The ALCF was established on March 1, 2006 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization and has raised nearly $25 million for lung cancer research and related programs. For more information about the ALCF please visit www.lungcancerfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

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SOURCE Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation