The Gap of Health Inequalities Amongst Lung Cancer Patients of Different Socioeconomic Status: A Brief Reference to the Greek Reality
Oncology Unit, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Chest Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Cancers 2024, 16(5), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16050906
Submission received: 22 January 2024
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Revised: 12 February 2024
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Accepted: 22 February 2024
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Published: 23 February 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Trachea, Bronchus and Lung Cancer Management)
Simple Summary
Lung cancer treatment and patient care continue to advance, yet concerns persist about whether these improvements are equally accessible to all socioeconomic groups. Socioeconomic disparities exist in lung cancer incidence, screening, effective treatment, overall survival, and prognosis. One of the key contributing factors to low socioeconomic status that is amenable to change is low education. Lower educational attainment is oftentimes linked to various factors, including smoking habits, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, lower paid and unhealthier occupations, exposure to environmental pollutants, and genetic-familial risks, all contributing to an elevated incidence of lung cancer. Driven by the observed health inequalities within the Greek population, the Greek Society of Lung Cancer has launched the “MIND THE GAP” campaign, which aims to raise awareness and narrow the gap associated with lung cancer, not only in Greece but across Europe. The aim of this literature review is to explore the gap of health inequalities regarding lung cancer incidence and prognosis between patients of different SES and its root of causality. Key pivotal actions towards bridging this gap are reviewed as well.
Abstract
Lung cancer treatment and patient care are constantly improving, but it remains doubtful whether this applies equally to all socioeconomic groups. It is nowadays well established that there are socioeconomic inequalities regarding lung cancer incidence, screening, effective treatment, overall survival, and prognosis. One of the key contributing factors to low socioeconomic status is low education. Low educational level is correlated with several factors, such as smoking habits, bad lifestyle behaviors, lower paid and unhealthier occupations, polluted neighborhoods, and genetic-familial risk, that lead to increased lung cancer incidence. The disparities regarding lung cancer care are further enhanced by stigma. On this basis and inspired by the gap in health equality among the Greek population, the Greek Society of Lung Cancer initiated a campaign, “MIND THE GAP”, to help increase awareness and minimize the gap associated with lung cancer, both in Greece and across Europe. The aim of this review is to explore the gap of health inequalities regarding lung cancer incidence and prognosis between patients of different SES and its root of causality. Key pivotal actions towards bridging this gap are reviewed as well.
Keywords:
lung cancer; socioeconomic status; education; incidence; prognosis; stigma
