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

KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA

10 May 202406:11

Summary

TLDRA 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.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Uncovering the Lung Cancer Mystery Among Asian American Women

This paragraph delves into the perplexing issue of lung cancer affecting an increasing number of Asian American women, despite the fact that 80% of them have never smoked. The discussion highlights a Bay Area study that reveals this alarming statistic and emphasizes the disproportionate risk faced by this demographic, being 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be diagnosed compared to other racial groups. The narrative introduces Vicky, a 48-year-old mother of two, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer despite never having smoked. It also mentions the FANS (Female Asian Never Smokers) study, a pioneering research initiative launched by Dr. Scarlett Gomez and Dr. Iona Chang at UCSF, aimed at understanding the reasons behind the high lung cancer rates among Asian American women who have never smoked. The paragraph underscores the emotional and physical toll of the disease, the lack of funding for research into diseases impacting the Asian American community, and the importance of the FANS study in potentially leading to more effective preventive measures and screening methods.

05:00

🌱 The Supportive Community of Asian American Women Fighting Lung Cancer

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to the community and support system that has formed among Asian American women battling lung cancer. It features Vicky, who, despite her own struggles with the disease, is actively involved in recruiting and supporting others, such as 34-year-old Kid Ho, who was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain. The FANS study is further elaborated upon, explaining that it examines genetic factors, family history, environmental aspects, and lifestyle exposures to identify potential causes for the high incidence of lung cancer in this group. The paragraph also touches on the broader implications of the study, suggesting that it could lead to a better understanding of the disease and improved support for those affected. Additionally, it calls for participation from older Asian women without lung cancer to provide a more comprehensive view for the research.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs and is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. In the video, lung cancer is highlighted as a significant health issue, particularly among Asian American women who have never smoked, emphasizing the mystery of why it affects this demographic so heavily.

💡Asian American Women

Asian American women are a specific demographic group that the video focuses on, as they are found to have a higher rate of lung cancer despite not having smoked. The term is central to the video's theme, as it addresses the disproportionate impact of lung cancer on this group.

💡Never Smoked

This term refers to individuals who have not engaged in the act of smoking tobacco products. In the context of the video, it is a key factor as it notes the surprising statistic that 80% of Asian American women with lung cancer have never smoked, challenging common assumptions about the primary cause of lung cancer.

💡Bay Area

The Bay Area refers to the region surrounding the San Francisco Bay in California. The video mentions a Bay Area-based study, which is significant as it provides local context and relevance to the research being discussed.

💡Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Stage 4 lung cancer indicates that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, making it the most advanced and serious stage. In the video, several women are described as having stage 4 lung cancer, highlighting the severity of their condition.

💡Oncoologist

An oncologist is a medical professional who specializes in oncology, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In the video, Vicky is mentioned to have visited an oncologist after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis, illustrating the importance of specialized care in managing this disease.

💡FANS Study

FANS stands for Female Asian Never Smokers and refers to a research program at UCSF that is investigating the reasons behind the high lung cancer rates among Asian females who have never smoked. The study is central to the video's exploration of the mysteriously high incidence of lung cancer in this demographic.

💡Scarlett Gomez and Iona Chang

Dr. Scarlett Gomez and Dr. Iona Chang are researchers mentioned in the video who launched the FANS study 15 years ago. Their work is pivotal to understanding the unique health challenges faced by Asian American women with lung cancer.

💡National Institute of Health (NIH)

The NIH is a significant U.S. medical research agency. The video points out that only 1% of NIH funding goes to diseases impacting the Asian American community, indicating a potential lack of research and resources for this demographic.

💡Genetics and Family History

The video mentions that the FANS study looks at a patient's genetics and family history as part of its research. This is important as it suggests that hereditary factors may play a role in the prevalence of lung cancer among Asian American women.

💡Environmental Aspects and Lifestyle Exposures

These terms refer to external factors such as air quality, living conditions, and personal habits that could potentially influence health outcomes. The FANS study considers these factors in its research, acknowledging that lung cancer's causes may be multifaceted and not solely genetic.

Highlights

Lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among both men and women in the United States.

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

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

Vicky Needs, a mother of two, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at the age of 48 despite never smoking.

Vicky's lung cancer has spread to her abdomen, and treatment has caused high blood pressure and cholesterol.

The FANS study at UCSF aims to understand why lung cancer rates are rising among Asian females who never smoked.

Dr. Scarlett Gomez and Dr. Iona Chang launched the FANS study 15 years ago as the first of its kind in the US.

Lung cancer rates have been declining over the past several decades, except among Asian American women.

The FANS study is seeking to develop more preventive measures and screening for lung cancer.

Only 1% of funding from the National Institute of Health goes to diseases impacting the Asian American community.

Vicky recruited 34-year-old Kid Ho, who also has stage 4 lung cancer and never smoked, to join the FANS study.

Kid Ho was diagnosed with lung cancer on Thanksgiving of last year and has four tumors in her brain linked to lung cancer.

Vicky and Kid Ho find support in each other and emphasize the importance of community in fighting lung cancer.

The FANS study considers genetics, family history, environmental aspects, and lifestyle exposures in its research.

The study is actively seeking participants, especially older Asian women without lung cancer, to join.

Vicky focuses on bringing joy to her life through family, friends, and helping others in their hardest moments.