Voices About Lung Cancer
Rapper and actor Common
“Our community is more likely to develop advanced lung cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. Lack of access to health care, lack of clear resources for health and mistrust in the medical system are not helping us beat this.”
“Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths among Black men and women. But there is a way for us to take back control of our health. Learn all that you can about cancer diagnosis and treatment options. Get more information on lung cancer screening and clinical trials.”
A 1-minute Public Service Announcement from Stand Up to Cancer.
Olugbenga Okusanya, MD
“There’s not an aspect of lung cancer care in which there’s not a significant disparity that hinders the ability of minority patients to get better care,” says Olugbenga Okusanya, MD, of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
“Black patients are less likely to get surgical therapy for early-stage disease, which is the actual cure for early-stage disease. They are also less likely to get chemotherapy and be enrolled in clinical trials.”
“It’s really disheartening to see this. There are lots of patients who have good options that never get them.”
A 2-minute video from the Patient Empowerment Network
