Study: Race Determines How we View Cancer?
Reported February 26, 2010
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — A new study finds preconceived notions of lung cancer could interfere with prevention and treatment.
Investigators of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute examined results from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), which surveyed individuals without cancer. A total of 1,530 participants answered questions about lung cancer.
Investigators found African Americans were more likely to agree that there are too many recommendations in preventing lung cancer, are more reluctant to be checked for lung cancer and expect to see symptoms before diagnosis.
Both whites and African Americans underestimated the true danger of lung cancer, did not place themselves at high risk for lung cancer and overestimated the survival of lung cancer, according to the research.
Racial disparities in health are multi-factorial, with access to care, patient factors such as lifestyle choice and lifetime exposures, and physician factors all having some impact,” the authors were quoted as saying.
Researchers say these differences may indicate that health officials must offer a better way of communicating information about lung cancer to the public.
SOURCE: Cancer, American Cancer Society, February 2010
