The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE Initiative Launches New Campaign, 'Lock Up Lung Cancer,' to Expose Hidden Killer of Women

Most people don’t know that lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women. The rate of women dying from the disease has increased 79 percent in the last 40 years, and since the mid-1970s, lung cancer diagnoses among women have been on the rise. Despite this, only 3 percent of women cite lung cancer as a top-of-mind health concern. If a serial killer were as prolific as lung cancer at taking the lives of women, it would be Public Enemy #1.

That’s why the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative, nationally presented by CVS Health, is launching a new campaign called “Lock Up Lung Cancer.” The premise is powerfully simple: expose lung cancer as the leading cancer killer of women by tapping into the widely popular “true crime” genre. By meeting fans of the genre in a space where they are already hooked, LUNG FORCE will energize them to take action and arm themselves against one of the most prolific hidden killers.

Officially launching during “Hidden Killer Week,” starting on November 12, Lock Up Lung Cancer will include a video series featuring lung cancer survivors on LUNGFORCE.org, and within true crime programming on online streaming networks like Lifetime, TNT, A&E and ID. To reach fans of the true crime genre, LUNG FORCE is also partnering with Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff during the November 15 “My Favorite Murder” podcast, as well as “Criminal” podcast host Phoebe Judge and “Crime Junkie” podcast host Ashley Flowers. This provocative approach is designed to inform and energize people to join LUNG FORCE to stay aware, stay vigilant and stay informed.

Many have met it, but few know its face — the #1 cancer killer of women is shrouded in silence and mystery. But this is the reality:

• Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told that she has lung cancer.
• Only 18 percent of lung cancer cases among women are diagnosed early, when the disease is most curable.  
• It’s estimated that more than 70,000 American women will lose their lives to lung cancer this year.

“Since 2014, LUNG FORCE has been working to raise awareness of lung cancer, new treatment options and better methods of early detection, but we need everyone’s help to stop this leading cancer killer,” said American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer. “Lung cancer is an issue that has been in the shadows for too long. We hope that by exposing the dangers of this disease, Americans will feel empowered to join LUNG FORCE and help us to defeat lung cancer. Because the truth is, anyone can get lung cancer.”

The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative is showing up for women like never before — with an innovative campaign that’s fierce and designed to make people think about lung cancer in a new way.

No one is safe from lung cancer. Find out how to protect yourself, and those you love, from this hidden killer. Visit: LockUpLungCancer.org to learn more.