Disparities between blacks and whites in tobacco and lung cancer treatment

Oncologist. 2011;16(10):1428-34. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0114. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Abstract

Racial disparities exist in lung cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Smoking is responsible for the majority of lung cancers, and racial disparities also exist in smoking outcomes. Black smokers are less likely than white smokers to engage in evidence-based tobacco treatment, and black smokers are less likely than white smokers to stop smoking. Continued smoking following a lung cancer diagnosis is a potential indicator of poor lung cancer treatment outcomes, yet lung cancer patients who smoke are unlikely to receive evidence-based tobacco treatment. The risks from continued smoking after diagnosis deserve attention as a modifiable factor toward lessening racial disparities in lung cancer outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / ethnology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Black People*
  • Female
  • Healthcare Disparities / ethnology*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Racial Groups
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / ethnology*
  • Smoking Cessation / ethnology*
  • Smoking Cessation / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • White People*