As fans and co-stars mourn the untimely death of actor Andre Braugher, there is a new emphasis on the pervasiveness of lung cancer among Black men and why they are more likely than other groups to die from the disease. The “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star passed away last week, just months after his diagnosis, according to a statement from his publicist.
According to the American Lung Association, one in 16 Black men will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime. But while research has shown that a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily have to be a death sentence, Black men still have the highest death rate of lung cancer in the country — a grim stat partially due to the fact that they’re often diagnosed at later stages than others. Only 12 percent of Black men receive their diagnosis at an early stage, compared to 16 percent of white men and 20 percent of white women.
Catching lung cancer in its early stages is critical in increasing the patient’s chance of survival, giving them more time to receive successful treatment, according to the American Cancer Society. The organization suggests annual lung cancer screenings for people aged 50 to 80 who are current or former smokers and have at least a 20 pack-per-year smoking history. But research from BMC Cancer has uncovered racial disparities in screening due to a number of factors including lack of awareness and being uninsured or underinsured.
There is also a misconception that cigarette smoking is the sole cause for lung cancer diagnoses and deaths. Smoking cigarettes is responsible for nearly 90 percent of lung cancer deaths. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other factors, including personal family history and exposure to second-hand smoke or high levels of air pollution, can also put you at risk for the disease.
Although more research is needed to establish a connection between smoking marijuana and lung cancer, the American Lung Association has determined that marijuana smoke causes damage to the lungs and regular use leads to chronic bronchitis.
As more research is done, organizations like the Lung Cancer Research Foundation have implemented efforts to educate Black and Hispanic populations on the importance of potentially life-saving screenings. Their “Know Your Risk” program provides free educational materials and a lung cancer support line to help increase awareness in communities of color.