Summary
Researchers from Yale University looked at more than 28,000 older adults with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. They found that Black patients were 8 to 9 percentage points less likely than White patients to receive curative treatment.
A new study reveals troubling lung cancer treatment disparities for Black patients, even when they have Medicare coverage.
Dr. Olivia Lynch, who led the study, explained that about 82% of patients overall received surgery or radiation. These are the two main treatments that can cure early-stage lung cancer. However, Black patients consistently received these treatments at lower rates. This gap has stayed nearly the same for decades.
The biggest difference came down to surgery. Surgery remains the top option for curing early-stage lung cancer. But Black patients were much less likely to have it. Dr. Lynch said this points to system-wide problems, not patient choice. Fewer surgeons in certain areas, weaker referral pathways, and unequal health resources all play a role.
Because every patient in the study had Medicare, insurance alone cannot explain the gap. Other barriers matter too. These include access to specialists, transportation, and care coordination. The study also looked at stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). When SBRT was new, Black patients received it less often. As it became standard, that gap shrank. This shows new treatments can reach some groups faster than others.
To close these gaps, health systems must improve referrals, expand surgical access, and support patients through navigation programs. Every lung cancer patient deserves a fair chance at life-saving treatment, no matter their race or zip code.
