Black patients with lung cancer are likely to die sooner than white patients. Research going back two decades shows that these racial differences, or disparities, exist in part because black patients with lung cancer that is diagnosed at an early stage are less likely to be treatedExit Disclaimer for the cancer. New findings from a clinical study funded in part by NCI show that use of a multipronged approach designed to address some of the underlying causes of these disparities may help to reduce them. The approach not only eliminated treatment gaps between black and white patients with early-stage lung cancer, but also improved treatment rates for all patients. The three-pronged approach included: a real-time warning system tied to electronic health records, to keep patients from falling through the cracks; feedback to clinical teams on treatment completion rates for black and white patients; and trained nurse navigators to engage with patients to identify and resolve barriers to care.
Source: NCI
