Cancer Myths May Be Stopping Patients from Getting Needed Care

Via Associated Press: Researchers blame 'the gossip mill' for patients in urban clinics rejecting necessary surgery for lung cancer. A study showed that 38 percent of the patients interviewed believe cancer spreads due to exposure to air during such operations. Twenty-four percent said they would reject the surgery for that reason even if their doctor informed them it has no scientific basis. 'Our findings,' concluded the researchers, 'may pertain to key racial disparities in lung cancer surgery and survival rates and suggest that culturally sensitive physician training or outreach programs directed at disparate beliefs and attitudes may help to address racial discrepancies in health care outcomes.' Text of study.