Yale researchers suggest race could impact quality of cancer care

A study from Yale School of Medicine says a person's race may impact the quality of cancer care they receive.

News 12 Staff

Apr 14, 2022, 11:47 PM

Updated 904 days ago

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A study from Yale School of Medicine says a person's race may impact the quality of cancer care they receive.
Researchers used a database that tracked 72% of the U.S. cancer population over 15 years. They found stark differences in the outcomes of Black patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
Senior study author Dr. Sajid Khan tell News 12 that African Americans are less likely to have an adequate number of lymph nodes removed. Black patients with certain types of cancer were found to have a nearly 30% lower chance of successful surgery.
Khan says African Americans are twice as likely not to be given indicated radiation treatments after surgery.
The study also showed a similar difference in outcomes for Native American patients compared to white patients.
Khan says while it's difficult to explain where the disparity comes from, implicit bias from health care provides is a likely factor.