Racial disparities exist in lung cancer knowledge

Blacks were more likely than whites to have certain beliefs regarding fear and risk perception of lung cancer that may interfere with the prevention and treatment of the disease, according to new findings from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey.

Researchers examined perceptions about lung cancer risk among 1,872 adults assigned to survey questions about lung cancer during the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, which was conducted in individuals without cancer and included questions about lung cancer. The survey was conducted on a nationally representative sample using random-digit dialing of listed telephone exchanges in the United States.

Data were examined to identify differences in perception by race and sex.

Almost 50% of the cohort was either current or past smokers; 49% earned more than $75,000 per year and 15% earned less than $25,000 per year.

Most participants stated that lung cancer was preventable, was caused by lifestyle, and that screening could be successful. However, fewer black participants agreed with these statements compared with white participants.

According to the results of a multivariate analysis, blacks were more likely to agree that it is hard to follow lung cancer recommendations (OR=2.05; 95% CI, 1.19-3.53) and were more likely to avoid an evaluation for lung cancer due to fear (OR=3.32; 95% CI, 1.84-5.98). In addition, blacks were more likely to agree that symptoms of lung cancer occur before diagnosis (OR=2.20, 95% CI, 1.27-3.79).

“The idea that some are confused by the lung cancer prevention messages is surprising. Likewise, doubting that lung cancer can be linked to behavior may grossly undermine prevention efforts. Further efforts should involve discussion of the role of lung cancer in all communities … and addressing the knowledge gap,” the researchers concluded.

Lathan CS. Cancer. 2010;116:doi:10.1002/cncr.24923.