Addressing Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer at Chest 2024
Addressing Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Care
At the Chest 2024 annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, experts shed light on alarming racial and ethnic disparities in lung cancer screening and treatment. Overall, the average lung cancer screening rate for eligible patients fell short at 5.8% in 2022. Notably, Black patients experience lower screening rates compared to their non-Black counterparts, despite higher lung cancer risks.
Impact of Racial Disparities on Lung Cancer Outcomes
- Black males exhibit the highest incidence rates of lung cancer, while American Indian and Alaskan Native females face the most significant mortality rates.
- Notably, Black patients are diagnosed at advanced disease stages, leading to poorer survival rates.
Dr. Francesca Duncan emphasized the correlation between these disparities and factors such as being male, uninsured, and Black. A call-to-action directed healthcare organizations to prioritize understanding and addressing these inequalities.
Lung Cancer Treatment and Systemic Disparities
Dr. Stella Ogake discussed treatment disparities, noting that standard care for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes surgeries that are often underutilized by patients of color.
- Patients of color are less likely to undergo surgical interventions, with significantly lower survival rates when surgeries are not performed.
- Research shows that non-Hispanic Black patients frequently receive treatment below the nationally recommended guidelines.
These disparities stem from social determinants of health (SDOH), including access to care and biases within treatment settings.
System-Based Interventions to Mitigate Disparities
Dr. Samuel Cykert suggested urgent implementation of system-based interventions focusing on accountability and communication, which have proven successful in improving care for Black patients through real-time adjustments in treatment approaches.
Therefore, achieving measurable outcomes in addressing racial disparities in lung cancer requires concerted effort and innovative solutions from all healthcare stakeholders.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.