Non-smoking Asian women getting lung cancer at a high rate; new study seeks to determine why

Summary

A Bay Area study reveals that 80% of Asian American women with lung cancer have never smoked, and they are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be diagnosed compared to other racial groups. The FANS study at UCSF, initiated by Dr. Scarlett Gomez and Dr. Iona Chang, aims to understand this alarming trend among non-smoking Asian females. Despite declining lung cancer rates, Asian American women are an exception, prompting research into genetics, family history, environmental factors, and lifestyle exposures. The study seeks participants, especially older Asian women without lung cancer, to broaden its insights.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among both men and women in the United States, and it disproportionately affects Asian American women who have never smoked.
• 🤔 A Bay Area study reveals that 80% of Asian American women with lung cancer have never smoked, raising questions about other contributing factors.
• 📊 These women are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer compared to other racial groups, highlighting a significant health disparity.
• 🧑‍🔬 The FANS (Female Asian Never Smokers) study at UCSF, initiated by Dr. Scarlett Gomez and Dr. Iona Chang, is the first of its kind in the U.S. to investigate this phenomenon.
• 💔 Vicky, a 53-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer despite never having smoked, illustrating the personal impact of this health issue.
• 🏥 Vicky's treatment for lung cancer has been brutal, causing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and the cancer has spread to her abdomen.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 The emotional toll of lung cancer is also significant, as Vicky worries about her two daughters, who were 13 and 15 when she was first diagnosed.
• 🧬 The FANS study examines genetic factors, family history, environmental aspects, and lifestyle exposures to understand the causes behind the high lung cancer rates in non-smoking Asian women.
• 💰 The study has also drawn attention to the underfunding of diseases impacting the Asian American community, with only 1% of NIH funding allocated to these conditions.
• 🌐 Vicky is not focused on why she got lung cancer but is channeling her energy into helping others and raising awareness about the FANS study.
• 📈 The study is actively seeking participants, especially older Asian women without lung cancer, to broaden the research and potentially develop more preventative measures and screening.

Q & A

What is the focus of the condition discussed in the video script?

The focus of the condition discussed is lung cancer, particularly its impact on Asian American women who have never smoked.

What percentage of Asian American women with lung cancer in the study never smoked?

80% of Asian American women with lung cancer in the study never smoked.

How likely are Asian American women to be diagnosed with lung cancer compared to other racial groups?

Asian American women are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than any other racial group.

What is the name of the research program Vicky was asked to participate in?

Vicky was asked to participate in a research program at UCSF called FANS.

What does FANS stand for in the context of the research program?

FANS stands for Female Asian Never Smokers, a study focusing on lung cancer rates among Asian females who never smoked.

Who launched the FANS study and why was it launched?

The FANS study was launched by Dr. Scarlett Gomez and Dr. Iona Chang to investigate the rising lung cancer rates among Asian females who never smoked.

What is the current state of lung cancer rates among the general population?

Lung cancer rates have been declining over the past several decades, but the exception to this trend is among Asian American women.

What is the primary goal of the FANS study?

The primary goal of the FANS study is to understand the reasons behind the high lung cancer rates among Asian American women who never smoked and to develop more preventative measures and screening.

How is the FANS study funded, and what is the concern regarding funding for diseases impacting the Asian American community?

The FANS study is funded by the National Institute of Health, but there is a concern that only 1% of the funding goes to diseases impacting the Asian American community.

What does Vicky focus on in her life despite her diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer?

Vicky focuses on the things that bring her joy, such as family, friends, and helping others by participating in the FANS study and supporting other women in a similar situation.

What aspects of a patient's life does the FANS study examine?

The FANS study examines a patient's genetics, family history, environmental aspects, and lifestyle exposures.

Who is Kid Ho, and how is she connected to Vicky and the FANS study?

Kid Ho is a 34-year-old mother who was diagnosed with lung cancer on Thanksgiving of the previous year. Vicky recruited her to be part of the FANS study, as they both share the common bond of having stage 4 lung cancer and never having smoked.