Health Disparities Across the Lung Cancer Continuum
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, estimated to cause 1.6 million deaths each year. Black individuals have the highest incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer compared to all other U.S. racial and ethnic groups. Stage—the extent of cancer in the body and whether it has spread—is the most important predictor of survival. Black individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer when there are fewer potentially curative treatment options.
Francesca Duncan, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at IU School of Medicine, is an emerging expert in lung cancer disparities at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. She discusses why there needs to be more emphasis on identifying and reducing lung cancer risks, earlier detection strategies, and equitable lung cancer care to alleviate this disparity.
Lauren Nephew, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at IU School of Medicine, moderates this session.
