CHICAGO , Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the past decade, clinical trials have contributed to rapidly advancing research, which has led to more individuals living with lung cancer exceeding the five-year survival rate than ever before. Unfortunately, this progress has not been shared equally amongst the populations facing high lung cancer burdens.
That's why the American Lung Association is expanding its work through the Awareness, Trust and Action program to educate Hispanic individuals about clinical trials and encourage them to speak with their healthcare provider about their treatment options. While progress in the early detection and treatment of the disease in recent years has increased the five-year survival rate to 26.6% nationally, this progress has not been shared equally.
Hispanic individuals with lung cancer were 16% less likely to be diagnosed early, 30% more likely to not receive any treatment, and 9% less likely to survive five years compared to white individuals in America. "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, Associate Director for Clinical Operations, Thoracic Oncology program for Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City . "I think that any campaign in the effort to try to get rid of those and help patients understand the importa.
