Accepting Help Is a Sign of Strength: Advice for Black Men With Lung Cancer

While lung cancer affects a wide demographic of people — even nonsmokers can be diagnosed — it hits Black men particularly hard.

Getting diagnosed and treated for lung cancer comes with obstacles that are unique to Black men.

Understanding Obstacles Black Men With Lung Cancer Face

Abhishek Kalla, MD, an oncologist at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, describes the screening as simple. Sadly, though, “This is not well publicized, especially in areas where there are more African American households,” he says.

Because of this, screening isn’t always a priority for some Black men, and they may even feel uncomfortable being tested. “Many are distrustful of the [healthcare] system and have concerns that they’ll be treated differently than white patients,” says Liza Lundgren, an oncology social worker at the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center in New York City. “Patients are not referred to or connected with getting screened,” she adds.

It’s important to find a doctor that you trust, and search out second or third opinions to find someone who will respect your unique needs.

There may even be shame about receiving a lung cancer diagnosis — something that’s not unique to Black men. “Being a smoker can come with shame and feeling like the diagnosis is your fault,” Lundgren says. “Although that shame can be hard to overcome, a support team that includes your care team, friends and family, community, and even your church can start to break that down and help you move forward.”

Here are four strategies Black men with lung cancer can use to find support:

1. Talk to Your Loved Ones

“Involving close, trusted family and friends is always an important part of the social support during cancer therapy,” Dr. Kalla says. Of course, it’s not easy to talk about your cancer diagnosis with close friends and family, which is why he recommends letting your healthcare providers, namely the oncology team, help facilitate the discussion.

“I encourage patients to bring family members with them to the visits, or I offer to call during the visit to have others on speakerphone, so they can participate.” The oncology team can then talk about the facts of the situation so there aren’t any misunderstandings between you and your caregivers, and you can then discuss things among yourselves after the appointment.

2. Team Up With a Social Worker

Ask your care team about putting you in contact with a lung cancer social worker.

Lung cancer social workers can help in the following ways, says Lundgren:

• Connect patients with resources, such as yoga classes and lecture series.
• Build relationships with patients and their families, and continue to check in throughout their cancer journey.
• Assess for other needs, such as financial assistance, transportation, and meal delivery.
• Give referrals to other providers in their system, including for nutrition, spiritual care, psychiatry, smoking cessation programs, and physical therapy.

3. Locate a Support Group

According to Lundgren, Black men don’t immediately think of seeking out a support group when diagnosed with cancer (and can even be resistant to the idea of support groups in general). But, support groups can help you cope with any shock and stress that can come from a lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Ask your oncology team for recommendations, or look for support groups in your community.

“As for ethnicity-specific support groups, local religious institutions are often good places to start such groups or find ones that already exist,” Kalla says. You could also search online for support groups.

4. Encourage Family and Friends to Get Screened

There are major disparities when it comes to lung cancer screening in the Black community. By advocating for screenings, you’ll help not only your loved ones but also yourself. “It brings patients who have been diagnosed to another level of acceptance and empowerment, which improves their quality of life overall,” Lundgren says.

• Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than white men, and face unique obstacles in their diagnosis and treatment.
• It’s important to find medical care that fits your needs, and to surround yourself with support from friends, family, and support groups.
• Social workers can assist you in navigating life during treatment.
• Know the lung cancer screening guidelines — and get screened, if eligible.