According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), lung cancer is still the predominant type causing more deaths than any cancer type. While anyone can be affected by lung cancer, several studies have shown that the Black population is affected more by this devastating disease. Spreading awareness of the causal factors leads to effective action taken, which can undoubtedly help save more lives in the Black population due to lung cancer. We have summarized the five most important reasons why lung cancer affects the Black population.
1. More at risk
Several studies have shown that the Black population is more at risk of getting lung cancer than other races. The interplay of many genes in our body acts differently making the Black population more vulnerable to lung cancer than the whites. Also, lung cancer affects Black people at relatively young ages.
Another reason for disparity and the Black population being more at risk of lung cancer is due to late diagnosis. It has been observed that by the time lung cancer is diagnosed, it has already progressed to advanced stages making the treatment options very limited.
Although the Black population is marginally less affected by lung cancer than white people, it has been observed that the Black population is less likely to stop smoking than whites. This continued smoking habit in the Black population puts them at risk of eventually catching lung cancer.
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Though we cannot change the genetic factors leading to lung cancer in the Black population, we can certainly adopt a more proactive stand to reduce the chances of developing it, like quitting smoking and discussing lung-related symptoms in wellness visits to the physician.
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2. Less Screening
According to a research report published last year by the American Lung Association, the Black American population is 15 percent less likely to be diagnosed or screened for lung cancer than white Americans.
Another study suggested that people of color were less likely to be referred by the doctors for lung cancer screening and moreover, face a longer time to follow up upon screening.
Diagnosis of lung cancer at an early stage is very important for an effective treatment and has a much higher success rate for cure than those diagnosed later when the cancer advances to an aggressive stage. It is imperative that the Black population actively participate in screening programs for early diagnosis.
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3. Less Participation in new medicine trials
Medicinal research has advanced a lot and newer medicines have been discovered to effectively treat lung cancer. According to the most recent report from the FDA, shockingly the representation of the Black population in clinical trials has been only one to three percent for four new medicine trials for lung cancer. Enrollment and continued participation are the keys to understanding and improving the medicine response rate in the Black population to treat lung cancer.
4. Irregular treatment regimens
Continuity is the key to success and it is more relevant when it comes to treating a devastating disease like lung cancer. Several scientific studies have indicated that an irregular treatment procedure has been a bottleneck to the successful treatment of lung cancer. Several factors contribute to this disparity. There has been a general distrust between people of color and their health service providers. Black people are referred less for advanced treatment options, to a specialist, for surgery, or access to expensive medications.
Also, it has been pointed out that Black patients take more time to develop confidence in their doctors than their white counterparts. This leads to a disruption in the treatment of lung cancer eventually causing the cancer to reach advanced stages making the cancer resistant to many medicines. More awareness is needed to encourage a continued treatment program for lung cancer in the Black population. To attain this important objective more and more participation of patient advocates is required.
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5. Socio-economic factors
In a recent study published by the American Lung Association, there is a significant disparity in the coverage of medical care in the United States. More than 15 million Black people are still not insured for healthcare causing them to feel restricted from getting medical attention and care for many diseases including lung cancer.
The government should walk the extra mile to ensure affordable medical care to underprivileged populations, which are mostly Black. Also, Black people are more resilient in suppressing milder ailments. This leads to avoiding the symptoms of the onset of lung cancer. An early diagnosis can prevent the loss of life due to lung cancer in the Black population.
Conclusion
If detected early, lung cancer can be treated successfully. Black people should not ignore lung-related discomfort and seek immediate medical help and more importantly follow-ups. This will help doctors if you have lung cancer and start treatment if needed. Also, outreach should be improved for better representation of the Black population in the clinical trials for new lung cancer medicines.
