The Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), the
only national organization dedicated solely to advocacy on behalf of lung
cancer patients and those at risk for the disease, requested leave to file an
Amicus Brief before the United States District Court to strengthen the
remedies that the Court is considering in the case of the United States of
America vs. Philip Morris, USA, Inc. and other tobacco companies.
In the brief, LCA is asking that the tobacco industry be required to
contribute to a fund to support independent research on the aetiology,
diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer and the development of a national
program on early lung cancer detection.
"This is a watershed moment for the entire lung cancer community," said
Laurie Fenton, LCA President. "When you combine the creation of an
independent research fund to better understand, diagnose, treat and cure lung
cancer with tougher smoking cessation and marketing disclosure measures
proposed by the United States and the Public Health Intervenors, the result is
the one-two punch that will knock out lung cancer."
In the brief, LCA argues that because of the tobacco industry's efforts to
conceal scientific facts concerning the health and addictive effects of
smoking and characterize smoking as a free adult "choice," this profoundly has
shaped how lung cancer is perceived and treated in society. The
"stigmatization" has led to lung cancer victims routinely being blamed for
their own disease and ultimately to inadequate research funding from both
public and private institutions.
"Funding for lung cancer research and early detection programs has lacked
institutional commitment, an overall plan and a sense of urgency," continued
Ms. Fenton, "even though it is the leading cancer killer, taking the lives of
more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and pancreas cancers
combined each year."
Cigarette smoke is the leading cause of lung cancer, implicated in 87
percent of all lung cancer deaths. There are 45 million current smokers and
46 million former smokers who are at risk for lung cancer.
"Survival rates for lung cancer over the past three decades have shown
little to no improvement," explained Ms. Fenton, "even as survival rates for
other major cancers have increased sharply. We strongly believe the tobacco
industry has contributed to this unacceptable situation. This legal recourse
and all its important remedies is an important step."
Lung Cancer Alliance
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