Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025

The bill's focus narrowed from covering lung cancer in women AND underserved populations meeting USPSTF screening criteria, access to preventive services, and public awareness campaigns, to focusing on improving lung cancer prevention and treatment in women and populations with few known risk factors.

Removed explicit focus on 'underserved populations that meet the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force' as a distinct target group.

Added 'populations with few known risk factors' as a target group alongside women, which is a different framing than the previous 'underserved populations' language.

HHS is now required to review and update Federal programs, activities, and strategic plans (not just identify opportunities for accelerated research). The action is more prescriptive: 'review and, as necessary and appropriate, update' rather than 'evaluate the status of, and identify opportunities for the acceleration of.'

Research opportunities now specifically include evaluation of environmental and genomic factors related to lung cancer etiology in women (moved from a separate item into the first research opportunity), and advances in 'technology and interventions, including biomarker testing' replacing the prior focus on 'imaging technology and techniques.'

Removed the specific call for development of a 'national lung cancer screening strategy to expand access to such screenings, particularly among women and underserved populations.'

Removed the specific call for development of a 'national public education and awareness campaign' on lung cancer in women/underserved populations and early detection.

Added requirement to review current public health strategies and consider alternative evidence-based strategies related to lung cancer screening and diagnosis, including an assessment of the need for additional public awareness and education.

The 2-year report now must include three specific components: a summary of research findings and knowledge gaps, a description of changes already made to Federal programs based on findings, and any additional recommended changes along with statutory or other barriers impeding implementation. Previously it was simply a general report on the review.

Report recipients changed from generic 'to Congress' to specific committees: Senate HELP, Senate Appropriations, House Energy and Commerce, and House Appropriations.