According to researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, African-Americans are more likely than whites to hold mistaken thoughts about lung cancer.
Randomly, the investigators queried patients who had been participants in the National Cancer Institute's 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS).
Black and white respondents greatly overestimated the percentage of lung cancer patients who survive 5 years or longer.
Actually, African-Americans were more likely than whites (53 percent vs. 37 percent) to say they were confused by too many recommendations on how to prevent lung cancer. "There is only one recommendation to decrease the chance of getting lung cancer. Stop smoking and avoid tobacco smoke." Lathan said.
73% of blacks agreed on the fact that this disease is caused by lifestyle and behavior, while 85% of whites agreed on that.
The researchers concluded, "African Americans are more likely to hold beliefs about lung cancer that could interfere with prevention and treatment."
Lathan said "we need to deliver really clear messages: Stop smoking if you want to prevent lung cancer. You should go to see your doctor. And we should let people known that lung cancer is deadly - more deadly than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined."
