Dr. Bryant Lin has spent years working to close the health care gap for Asian Americans. Now, he’s living the very disparity he’s fought to fix. Diagnosed with stage IV nonsmoker lung cancer—a disease disproportionately affecting Asians—Lin is using his personal journey to spotlight the lack of research and screening guidelines for his community.
“Yeah, it is ironic,” Lin said after teaching his Stanford class, “From Diagnosis to Dialogue,” which explores cancer care and research. His diagnosis came after a persistent cough led to scans revealing cancer in his bones, liver, and brain. Though he’s responding to treatment, Lin knows his story reflects a broader issue.
About 10% to 20% of lung cancer patients have never smoked, and a gene mutation linked to nonsmoker lung cancer is especially common among Asians, particularly women. Yet, only 0.17% of NIH grants mention “Asian,” and just 10% of clinical trials include Asian representation.
Dr. Latha Palaniappan, co-director of Stanford’s Center for Asian Health Research and Education, emphasized that Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S., but “treatment guidelines specific to them don’t exist right now.” She noted that lumping all Asian groups together in data obscures critical differences, such as higher heart disease risk among South Asians.
Lin hopes his diagnosis will drive advocacy and research. “I’m in a position to do something about it,” he said. “To utilize my diagnosis for something good.”
See: “His career is devoted to closing the Asian American health care gap. Now, he has the cancer that’s afflicting Asians” (December 20, 2024)
