Lung cancer education, it’s simple?

(Sebastian Kaulitzki)

On February 22, researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute published findings in Cancer, a peer-reviewed academic journal, on "Racial differences in the perception of lung cancer."

The study concluded that, "African Americans were more likely to hold beliefs about lung cancer that could interfere with prevention and treatment," namely that "African Americans were more likely than whites to agree that it is hard to follow recommendations about preventing lung cancer; to avoid an evaluation for lung cancer for fear that they have the disease; and to believe that patients with lung cancer would have pain or other symptoms before diagnosis."

Lead researcher, Christopher Scott Lathan , MD, MS, MPH, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, commented, "overall the knowledge about lung cancer is low with all groups. Late stage cancer is harder to cure and I was surprised to learn African Americans were confused about the prevention recommendations and twice as likely to doubt the lifestyle connection between tobacco use and lung cancer. There is only one recommendation to decrease the chance of getting lung cancer. Stop smoking and avoid tobacco smoke."

Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123299966/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Dr. Lathan discusses study (video): http://www.dana-farber.org/abo/news/press/flash/lathan/