Study Looks at Survival, Racial Disparities Among Lung Cancer Patients Who Undergo Surgery
"Racial Disparities Among Patients With Lung Cancer Who Were Recommended Operative Therapy," Archives of Surgery: Researchers led by Farhood Farjah of University of Washington's Surgical Outcomes Research Center examined 17,739 patients who were diagnosed with early stage lung cancer between Jan. 1, 1992, and Dec. 31, 2002, and were recommended to receive lung resection. Among those patients, 69% of blacks received the surgery, compared with 83% of whites. However, after making adjustments, researchers found no significant association between race and death, despite the 14% difference in the receipt of surgery. The findings suggest that "distrust, beliefs and perceptions about lung cancer and its treatment, and limited access to care (despite insurance) might have a more dominant role in perpetuating racial disparities than previously recognized," according to the study (Archives of Surgery, January 2009). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
