2026 -- H 8535

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY 2026 TO BE "LUNG CANCER ACTION

WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Kennedy, Phillips,
Noret, Finkelman, Serpa, Fellela, and Santucci

     Date Introduced: May 12, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative has been

working since 2014 to ensure that fewer people are diagnosed with lung cancer and those living

with the disease live longer; and

     WHEREAS, Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United

States, accounting for more deaths than colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer

combined; and

     WHEREAS, Lung cancer screening saves lives, and advocacy and increased awareness

will result in more high-risk individuals obtaining recommended screening; and

     WHEREAS, One in 16 men and one in 17 women in the United States will develop lung

cancer during their lifetimes, and approximately 62 to 84 percent of high-risk adults are not

familiar with lung cancer screening and the low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan; and

     WHEREAS, Each year, more women die from lung cancer than from breast cancer,

cervical cancer and ovarian cancer combined; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 10 to 20 percent of lung cancers are unrelated to smoking,

and the proportion of lung cancers diagnosed in individuals who have never smoked is increasing

in the United States. The 5-year survival rate for localized lung cancer is 61 to 65 percent, yet a

majority of lung cancers are diagnosed at a distant stage, for which the 5-year survival rate is 7 to

10 percent, and

     WHEREAS, Screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can detect lung

cancer in its earliest stages and ultimately save lives, yet only 3 to 6 percent of high-risk

individuals in the United States undergo lung cancer screening; and

     WHEREAS, Veterans are 25 percent more likely to develop lung cancer compared to the

general public, and although approximately 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 veterans have an elevated risk

of lung cancer and are eligible for screening, less than 3 percent of veterans receive appropriate

screening; and

     WHEREAS, Black men have the highest incidence of lung cancer and the highest

mortality rate from lung cancer in the United States, and non-White individuals are 15 percent

less likely to be diagnosed early; and

     WHEREAS, Lung cancer research is leading to breakthroughs in biomarker identification

and the development of immunotherapies and targeted therapies that are highly effective for some

cancer subtypes, yet accessing cutting-edge diagnostic testing can be difficult. Public support for

research funding will result in new treatments and better methods of early detection; and

     WHEREAS, LUNG FORCE is a national initiative led by the American Lung

Association to defeat lung cancer; and

     WHEREAS, Educational efforts can increase awareness of lung cancer and lung cancer

screening among the general public, patients and families, and health care professionals, thereby

increasing early detection of lung cancer; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

designates the second week in May 2026 as "Lung Cancer Action Week" throughout the state in

order to promote efforts to increase awareness of lung cancer education, research on mitigation of

risk factors, lung cancer screening, treatment, and issues affecting minorities and individuals who

have never smoked. This House also encourages the people of Rhode Island to observe "Lung

Cancer Action Week" with appropriate educational activities to learn more about lung cancer, its

risk factors, early detection, and the best ways to take preemptive action; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Lung Association.

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