ASPO Abstracts
Addressing Lung Cancer Health Disparities and Inequities in a Rural African American Population
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose of the Study: To reduce lung cancer health disparities in rural African Americans (AAs) by providing
education on the risk factors of lung cancer, facilitating through navigation to low-dose CT (LDCT) in those eligible,
and promoting smoking cessation for current smokers.
Methods: 105 AA participants living in rural Georgia and members of three churches participated in a four-week
program with objectives of: 1) providing education on risks of lung cancer; 2) promoting low-dose CT (LCDT)
screening for those deemed eligible; and 3) facilitating smoking cessation in current smokers. Using a “train-the-
trainer” approach, indigenous Community Health Workers (CHWs; 3/church) participated in an 8-hour training on
the educational modules for delivering the 4-session intervention. Surveys assessing healthy lifestyle choices,
smoking history, cancer screening history, and general knowledge about cancer were given pre- and post-
intervention.
Results: Participants were 21-79 yrs. (mean age 56 yrs.), 67.6% female, 56.2% were obese, and 15.7% being
morbidly obese. 18.1% were current smokers, smoked an average of 7 cigarettes/day for 20 yrs. on average.
68.0% responded they were exposed to second-hand smoke at least some of the time. Pre-post intervention
surveys revealed a significant improvement in the correct responses for the recommended screening test for lung
cancer (35.2% vs 81.9%; p<0.001), the harmfulness of electronic cigarettes compared to traditional cigarettes
(67.4% vs 85.7%; p=0.008), cancer risk factors (33.3% vs 61.9%; p<0.001), and improved survival rates due to
lung screening (47.6% vs 72.4%; p=0.001). 36.8% of those eligible were scheduled for cessation; 57.1% eligible
for LDCT were scheduled for lung screening.
Conclusions: AAs are at greater risk for lung cancer incidence, late diagnoses, and mortality, especially in rural
areas due to low access to quality healthcare and education efforts. This project demonstrates that education and
prevention efforts with navigation to care show promise for reducing cancer incidence, facilitating earlier diagnosis
through screening, and promoting healthy behavior choices of quitting tobacco, thus impacting mortality rates
among rural and underserved AAs.
Keywords: African Americans, Health Disparities, Lung Cancer, Rural