About every two and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer. Access to early diagnosis, precision medicine, and biomarker testing can save lives and improve the quality of life for people living with lung cancer. However, biomarker testing is often underutilized, particularly in the Black community.
To address this disparity and improve the lives of those impacted by lung cancer, the American Lung Association has launched Biomarker, Education, Awareness and Testing (BEAT) Lung Cancer. This new initiative focuses on increasing biomarker testing rates in communities most affected by lung cancer disparities.
“While lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., there has been incredible progress in survival thanks in part to screening, biomarker testing and targeted treatments. Unfortunately, only about 4.5% of people eligible have been screened for lung cancer and a recent study found that 23% of people diagnosed with lung cancer received chemo and radiation therapy before they had received full biomarker testing, leading to potentially unnecessary treatment and time lost,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “This campaign will focus on increasing these numbers and improving the lives of people living with lung cancer, with a focus on the communities most impacted.”
Biomarker testing involves healthcare providers examining a tumor for DNA and specific protein levels. These tests are also known as molecular or genomic testing. If doctors understand what causes a tumor to grow, patients may receive "targeted" therapy that can slow or shrink tumors. Testing can also reveal levels of an important protein called PD-L1 which may help predict if a patient would benefit from immunotherapy.
Health disparities persist in lung cancer care and biomarker testing. In fact, 26% of eligible white patients received biomarker testing compared to 14% of eligible Black patients. Additionally, lung cancer affects Black individuals differently than their white counterparts; Black men are 11% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer and 9.8% more Black men die from the disease.
A recent survey conducted by the American Lung Association found that among 33 Black individuals with lung cancer surveyed, 42% reported not having discussed their lung cancer risk with a doctor prior to their diagnosis, and one quarter did not receive biomarker testing for their condition. The survey also found that over a quarter indicated their doctor did not recommend biomarker testing.
The American Lung Association’s new BEAT Lung Cancer initiative aims to beat lung cancer by:
Learn more at Lung.org/beat-lung-cancer.
