The Gourd
Vol 2, Issue 2 February 18, 2022
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In this month's issue, we take a look at a couple of problems related to disparity in the field of oncology and end with a study showing an intervention with positive results.
Precision Oncology
A study published in the November 8 issue of JAMA discussed the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic patients in precision oncology studies. As reported in Reuters, there were a couple of potential limitations to the study, including the lack of data on multiracial or multiethnic patients. However, many oncology studies do not collect any data on race and ethnicity. There is a potential for missing important biomarkers by not building diversity into study designs.
Screening Modality Matters
Studies have shown an improvement in breast cancer detection with the use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). This abstract from the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that utilization of DBT was lower in Black patients, possibly resulting in lower detection rates.
Journal of the American College of Radiology
Positive Results
A recent abstract in the Journal of Clinical Oncology presented results of an interventional study seeking to address a racial disparity in time to surgery for lung cancer patients. A retrospective analysis found that surgery within 8 weeks of diagnosis was achieved with Black patients 58.7% of the time while White patients met this measure 75.0% of the time. The study looked at a concurrent control group and a matched intervention group. The control group maintained a disparity in time to surgery while surgery within 8 weeks of diagnosis was achieved at a higher rate for both Black and White patients with the gap disappearing entirely.
The Cork Board
Check out the upcoming events starting this month and continuing into the summer. The NM Black Leadership Council has a calendar of events posted here.
If you have information you would like to share with this provider community, send it to DRoss@NMBLC.org.
Share the link for this publication with other Black health providers in the state and encourage them to send their contact information (see email address at the bottom of the page) so they can be added to the distribution list.
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