Chicago – September 13, 2026 -- The American Lung Association is expanding its Awareness, Trust and Action campaign to encourage more lung cancer patients to ask their doctors about clinical trials as a treatment option.
Every current lung cancer treatment originated in a clinical trial
"Clinical trials provide the most promising way to improve treatment outcomes and continue advancements in lung cancer care and survivorship," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. He said the organization wants patients and caregivers to discuss all treatment options, including trials, with their healthcare providers.
Black and Hispanic patients face steeper survival gaps
According to the Lung Association's "State of Lung Cancer" report, Black individuals with lung cancer are less likely to be diagnosed early and less likely to survive five years compared with White individuals. Hispanic and Latino individuals are less likely to be diagnosed early and more likely to go without treatment altogether.
Only about 1% of lung cancer trial participants identify as Hispanic
Physicians Italo M. Brown, MD, MPH, and Leslie Gonzalez, DO, MS, are partnering with the campaign to address misconceptions about trial participation. "Only about 1% of people in lung cancer clinical trials identify as Hispanic," said Dr. Gonzalez. "That matters because if we aren't represented in research, we lose opportunities to know how treatments work for us."
Trial participants receive high-quality cancer care, not experimental neglect
Clinical trials are highly monitored studies testing new ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose or treat disease. The Lung Association notes every participant receives high-quality cancer care, and trials are sometimes the most appropriate treatment path rather than a last resort.
Support for the campaign was provided by Genentech and Roche.