RHBE Innovation Award

2023 Innovation Award Winner

Lung cancer among individuals who have never smoked is on the rise. Worldwide, nearly 20% of men and more than 50% of women who have been diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked. 

Despite the staggering prevalence of this cancer, the risk factors responsible for its development are not well-understood, hindering efforts in prevention and early detection.  Moreover, there is an astonishing lack of public awareness of this unique disease.  

The Lung Cancer in Never-Smokers Risk Registry (LCNS-RR) will collect critically needed information and biospecimens from patients with lung cancer who have never-smoked. Few registries like this exist in the U.S. Research made possible by this registry will lead to discoveries that support new life-saving practices in prevention, screening, and treatment of lung cancer in never-smokers. 

Building this innovative registry will occur, in parallel, with educational forums conducted with registry participants, their caregivers, and other community members. These forums will enhance community awareness of the issues faced by never-smokers with lung cancer and will provide patients and caregivers with new skills to manage the physical and emotional effects of this disease.  

"Every year it seems that we are seeing more and more people in our oncology clinics who have little to no smoking history, yet are still diagnosed with lung cancer. By building this registry dedicated to lung cancer in never-smokers we are optimistic that this will lead to discoveries that in the future will help us prevent and better treat this unique disease."
J. Nicholas Bodor
MD, PhD, MPH, Fox CHase Cancer center

2022 Innovation Award Winner

Annual lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan of the chest saves lives. Unfortunately, people do not participate in annual lung cancer screenings, missing appointments and missing the opportunity to catch cancer in the early stages when treatment is successful. 

Adherence to annual lung cancer screening is especially low in populations experiencing health and socioeconomic disparities. Currently, there is no directed effort to facilitate adherence to annual screening.

The overarching goal of our program, called “Screen Time“, is to increase adherence to annual lung cancer screening among Temple University Health System patients. To do this we will

  1. Assess the reasons individuals miss annual screening appointments
  2. Facilitate lung cancer screening with strategic, patient-specific interventions
  3. Measure the success of interventions


Our work will not only inform our community about barriers to annual lung cancer screening, but establish an evidence-based, replicable infrastructure that facilitates access to the lifesaving technology of lung cancer screening.

Supported by data and with a clear plan for measuring impact, this program is designed to lower barriers and increase education for patients who are screened for lung cancer, but often fail to return for screening.

"Thank you, Ride Hard Breathe Easy, for your generosity. These funds will go directly to patients who have difficulty finding transportation, paying for parking, or coordinating their low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening. We are proud to partner with you to fight lung cancer!"
Cherie Erkmen
MD, Temple Health

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