Heroes who are fighting lung cancer

AMY LAZEV: Quitters' helper

Lazev, a behavioral researcher at Fox Chase Cancer Center, conducts important studies into what helps people quit smoking. She found, for example, that economically disadvantaged people with HIV/AIDS are more than three times as likely to kick the habit if they get regular counseling by cell phone.

She also runs classes for smokers who want to quit. At Fox Chase, Lazev offers smoking-cessation programs for the cancer center patients and employees alike. One unsung resource that she recommends is the online community QuitNet.com, which puts quitters in touch with each other for live support.

LOUISE SHOWE: Early detector

Showe, a laboratory researcher at the Wistar Institute in University City, is developing a blood test that uses DNA to diagnose lung cancer at early stages. At this point, the test is 87 percent accurate.

If the test lives up to its promise, people at risk could have annual blood tests to screen for early signs of the disease. "We still have a lot of work to do," Showe says, "but this actually is looking quite good at this point." Her work is being funded by the state Department of Health, with money from the state's tobacco settlement.