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Research Highlights
Lung Cancer Myth More Common Among African Americans
October 7, 2003
The false belief that lung cancer tumors spread when exposed to air during surgery is particularly common among African American patients, and may be keeping many of them from lifesaving operations, reported VA researchers and colleagues in the Annals of Internal Medicine. In a survey of 626 lung patients at the Philadelphia and Los Angeles VA medical centers, University of Pennsylvania, and Medical University of South Carolina, 61 percent of African Americans and 29 percent of Caucasian Americans said they believe exposure to air during surgery causes a tumor to spread. Nearly 20 percent of African Americans said they would decline surgery because of this belief, compared to 5 percent of whites. Lung cancer is more prevalent and deadly among African Americans than whites. The researchers said education is needed concerning this myth and other issues to help improve outcomes for African American patients.
Margolis ML, Christie JD, Silvestri GA, Kaiser L, Santiago S, Hansen-Flaschen J. Racial differences pertaining to a belief about lung cancer surgery: results of a multicenter survey.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: June 27, 2006 |
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