Louisiana has had one of the highest rates of lung cancer among the states in the nation for many years. Some residents blame ‘Chemical Alley,’ as the stretch of the Mississippi River south of Baton Rouge is known due to the high concentration of chemical plants. Others may factor in the shipyards and factories that used asbestos for so many decades.
Whatever the reasons, the risks remain evident. A medical journal focused on chest medicine recently held its annual conference in New Orleans and discussed effective strategies of lessening the disease’s effect. One new effort is to catch lung cancer earlier when treatment is more likely to be completely effective at eliminating the disease.
A new study by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force looked at the connections between race, smoking status and lung cancer diagnoses. The research determined that Americans of African descent are more likely per capita to develop lung cancer and that more than 60% of people diagnosed with lung cancer reported themselves as tobacco smokers.
“Racially diverse patient groups may require tailored shared decision making in lung cancer screening,” the research report stated. Updated recommendations on how and when people get lung cancer screenings may follow the study and the conference.
People exposed to carcinogens that cause lung cancer may have a case for financial damages against the responsible party. Although this may seem like little comfort, appropriate financing is vital when fighting a major disease. An attorney can help advise on the best way to file a lawsuit and represent a client’s interests in court.