|
The American Lung Association's, “State of Lung Cancer” report explores how lung cancer varies by state. In addition, it analyzes critical lung cancer indicators such as incidence, survival, stage at diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, and screening rates.
In South Carolina, the rate of new lung cancer cases is 61/1000, significantly higher than the national rate of 57/1000. Additionally, 22% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among African Americans compared to the rate of 27% among whites. While surgery may not be an option for every patient, research indicates that those who receive surgery as part of their initial treatment have higher survival rates than those who do not. Unfortunately, access to surgical treatment in SC is not equitable. African Americans in South Carolina are the least likely to receive surgical treatment. Per the data reports, 15% of African Americans with lung cancer in South Carolina underwent surgery, significantly lower than 17% among African Americans nationally and considerably lower than the rate of 20% among whites in South Carolina. While comorbidities and lung cancer staging are primary factors that indicate whether a patient is a candidate for surgery, other treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy are recommendations. However, access to adequate treatment is not equitable among underrepresented groups in South Carolina due to a lack of providers, education level, the stigma associated with lung cancer, and the cost of treatment, specifically, socioeconomic status (American Cancer Society). For example, 23% of African Americans with lung cancer in the state did not receive any treatment, compared to the rate of 20% among whites in South Carolina. Dismantling social determinants of health barriers is essential to reduce the percentage of patients who do not receive any treatment and ensures that those at high risk for lung cancer are screened and have access to community oncology centers.
Despite the early diagnosis rate in SC, the state still has a lot of work to do to improve access to screening services and early detection care for underrepresented groups. Implementing funding opportunities and navigation programs can link patients to prevention and detection services that will provide timely access to treatment and lower mortality rates.
One of our aims as an NCORP is to promote the participation of African Americans and other underrepresented groups in our catchment area in NCI Clinical Trials through community engagement and patient support programs. Additionally, assessing and addressing barriers to research participation and accruing patients to trials that improve cancer-related health among individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds exemplifies our dedication to addressing health equity gaps in cancer research representation and survivorship.
Below are three research studies UC-NCORP participate in that focus on lung cancer and emphasize the importance of diversity in clinical trials!
-
EA5181: Randomized Phase III Trial of MEDI4736 (durvalumab) as Concurrent and Consolidative Therapy or Consolidative Therapy Alone for Unresectable Stage 3 NSCLC
-
Primary Objective: To evaluate whether there is an improvement in overall survival with concomitant chemotherapy/radiation therapy/MEDI4736 (durvalumab) followed by one year (12 cycles) of MEDI4736 (durvalumab) as compared to concomitant chemotherapy/radiation followed by one year (12 cycles) of MEDI4736 (durvalumab).
-
URCC-21038: Disparities in Results of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment (DiRECT): A Prospective Cohort Study of Cancer Survivors Treated with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy in a Community Oncology Setting
-
Primary Objective: To compare incidence of CTCAE grade 2-5 irAEs between African American and European American patients within the first year of starting ICI treatment.
-
NCI 10323: Cancer Moonshot Biobank Research Protocol
-
Primary Objective: To support current and future investigations into drug resistance and sensitivity and other NCI-sponsored cancer research initiatives through the procurement and distribution of multiple longitudinal biospecimens and associated data from a diverse group of cancer patients who are undergoing standard of care treatment at NCORP sites.
View our full portfolio of Lung Cancer trials at our website:
| 
