Black Americans have the highest overall cancer death rate and are more likely than White Americans to be diagnosed with lung cancer at a late stage, when it’s harder to treat. The American Lung Association reports that Black individuals with lung cancer are 13% less likely to be diagnosed early, 19% less likely to receive surgical treatment, 11% more likely to receive no treatment, and 13% less likely to survive five years compared with White individuals. More broadly, only 27.4% of lung cancers are diagnosed at an early stage nationally, when 5-year survival is much higher (~65%). This highlights how much outcomes depend on timely detection and access to definitive therapy. Historically, disparities have been more pronounced in men: one analysis reported higher lung cancer incidence and mortality in Black men vs White men, underscoring a persistent equity gap in a surgery-dependent disease.

Many minority populations are significantly underrepresented in cancer clinical trials, with these racial and ethnic groups also experiencing disparities in cancer care and outcomes. A study evaluating racial and ethnic representation in the 230 clinical trials that supported FDA oncology drug approvals from 2008-2018 found that only 3.1% of clinical trial participants were Black (Blacks represent 13.5% of the US population) and only 6.1% were Hispanic (Hispanics represent 18.5% of the US population). Integro Theranostics is committed to forging partnerships that will help to engage more minority participants in LS301 clinical trials.