Language Barriers Can Derail Head/Neck Cancer Outcomes
Language Barriers Can Derail Head Neck Cancer Outcomes Racial disparities may not be as big a factor in treatment outcomes as once believed—instead, language barriers may play a larger role as a predictor of successful treatment in health care
Language Barriers Can Derail Head/Neck Cancer Outcomes
Racial disparities may not be as big a factor in treatment outcomes as once believed—instead, language barriers may play a larger role as a predictor of successful treatment in health care settings. Non-English speakers face the greatest level of health care disparities, according to researchers from Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, who presented their findings at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s annual meeting in Miami earlier this month. Approximately 20% of the United States population speaks a language other than English at home. With the number of minorities expected to reach 50% by 2050, the researchers stated that interpreter/translation services are warranted in order to ensure the highest standards of care for each patient. In reaching this conclusion, researchers examined 132 patients with nonmetastatic and nonrecurring head and neck cancer who had undergone radiation therapy. After evaluating the data, they concluded that non-English speaking patients had the worst head and neck cancer outcomes.
The study prompted Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine officials to advise health care providers to take extra steps to ensure open communication during all stages of care.
