The American Lung Association is addressing the disparity in lung cancer care among Hispanic individuals through its Awareness, Trust and Action program. This initiative aims to educate the Hispanic community about clinical trials and encourage discussions with healthcare providers regarding treatment options.
Despite advancements in early detection and treatment, which have increased the national five-year survival rate for lung cancer to 26.6%, these benefits have not been evenly distributed. Data indicates that Hispanic individuals are 16% less likely to be diagnosed early, 30% more likely to go untreated, and 9% less likely to survive five years compared to white individuals.
“Hispanic people in the U.S. face barriers in enrolling in clinical trials because of lack of understanding about what clinical trials really are and how clinical research is run, which results in myths, fear and lack of trust,” said Jorge Gomez, MD, Medical Director at Mount Sinai Hospital's Thoracic Oncology program in New York City. “I think that any campaign in the effort to try to get rid of those and help patients understand the importance of clinical trials is very important.”
Clinical trials play a crucial role in developing new lung cancer treatments by testing prevention methods, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches under strict monitoring conditions. Each participant receives high-quality care, and for some patients, participating in a clinical trial may be the best treatment option available.
However, Hispanic representation in clinical trials remains low. Although they make up 16% of the population, they represent only 1% of clinical trial participants. The American Lung Association's expanded campaign seeks to rectify this imbalance so that Hispanic individuals can access innovative therapies offered through these trials.
Support for this project comes from Genentech and Roche.
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