Survival and Racial Disparities Found To Be Linked Among Lung Cancer Patients
Article by Katie Kelley
Copyright (c) 2009 Katie Kelley
The University of Washington-Seattle recently analyzed the results of years of lung cancer patients and found that African Americans are at an increased risk of fatalities compared to their Caucasian peers.
The study used informational data from 17,739 patients that were of the average age of 75 years old. The data was collected during the time period of 1992 to 2002. The study included patients of both races, however, 89 percent were Caucasian whereas only 6 percent were African Americans. According to the research, “black patients recommended to surgery had lung resections less frequently than white patients.”
The report found that as long as African American patients received “recommended appropriate treatment” the disparities shrank considerably, however, that has not been the case thus far, according to a Science Daily news article. Scientists were only able to speculate as to why the disparities occurred between the two races, but reasoned the following differences may be occurring:
* patients may be less inclined to undergo surgery
* patients may be have limited access to appropriate care
* patients may be less likely to visit the physician
However, if these patients had received a proper adjustment or treatment, then “no significant association between race and death” would have occurred, according to the news article.
Lung Cancer Causes
While the Oncology Channel notes that tobacco smoke is responsible for “80 percent of lung cancer deaths in men and 75 percent of lung cancer deaths in women,” there are a significant number of other risk factors that can lead to an individual’s diagnosis of lung cancer. The following are several risk factors including:
* secondhand smoke
* asbestos
* radon
* occupational exposures
* age
* race
* sex
* hereditary
It is imperative that in order for a lung cancer patient to receive the best appropriate method of treatment that he/she contact a medical professional at the first signs and symptoms of their potential condition. The Mayo Clinic reported the following as several signs and symptoms common among lung cancer patients:
* hoarseness
* wheezing
* chest pain
* coughing up blood
* development of chronic cough, also smoker’s cough
* new cough that does not go away
Defining Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a deadly form of lung cancer that is caused after the inhalation of asbestos fibers and dust particles has occurred. The New Zealand National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee reported that individuals working in the construction industry, or a similar field, are at the most risk for developing mesothelioma cancer:
* asbestos workers
* auto mechanics
* miners
* millers
* machinery fitters
* boilermakers
* firemen
* waterside workers
* railway workers
* construction workers
Individuals who have worked in any of the above fields or a similar work environment are advised to seek medical attention if any of the above signs and symptoms develop. Additionally, it is important that an individuals suffering from mesothelioma cancer contact an environmental toxin attorney to learn about developing a mesothelioma lawsuit.
It is often necessary to create such litigation as a mesothelioma diagnosis is frequently delivered with expensive treatment options and a short life expectancy. By creating a mesothelioma lawsuit an individual is increasing their chance of receiving monetary compensation as an award for their debilitating condition.
About the Author
Individuals can obtain more information on the mesothelioma risks by visiting http://mesothelioma.legalview.com or http://www.LegalView.info/. Here, readers can locate the latest on the peanut butter recall as well as how to garner legal advice from an automobile accident attorney.