Racial Disparities in Early-Stage NSCLC Treatment: A Call for Action

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with a 5-year survival rate of only 28%; however, when caught at an early stage, it can be cured with surgery or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Unfortunately, racial disparities may result in limited access to care for some patients. Liu and colleagues analyzed 64,999 cases of early-stage NSCLC treated between 2005 and 2017 from the Florida Cancer Registry and showed that Black patients had 36% lower odds of receiving curative-intent surgery compared with their White counterparts. This study highlights significant racial disparities in treatment patterns that must be addressed urgently. See related article by Liu and colleagues, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33:489-99.