Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: Dana-Farber’s EQUAL Study Invites the Latino Community to Participate

Medical review: Dr. Narjust Florez, a thoracic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the EQUAL study.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is evaluating a new blood test to detect early a type of lung cancer that disproportionately affects Latino, Hispanic, and Asian people who do not smoke.

When we think of lung cancer, we almost always associate it with smoking.

But this disease also affects people who do not smoke, and cases in this group are increasing every year, particularly in our communities.

One of the most common types among people who do not smoke is lung cancer with a mutation in a gene called EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor).

It occurs more frequently among Latino, Hispanic, and Asian people.

The problem is that many people who do not smoke, as well as many people under age 50, do not meet the eligibility requirements for routine lung cancer screening, even when they are at risk.

According to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, more than half of lung cancer patients are diagnosed when the disease is already incurable.

At that point, treatment options are limited.

To help close this gap, Dana-Farber researchers created the EQUAL study.

This research study is evaluating whether a blood test can detect this type of cancer early, before it spreads to other organs.

What Is EGFR-Positive Lung Cancer?

EGFR stands for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.

It is a gene. Certain changes, or mutations, in this gene can lead to a specific type of lung cancer.

This type of cancer is more common among people who do not smoke, particularly those of Latino, Hispanic, East Asian, and Southeast Asian ancestry.

That is why the study focuses on these communities.

How Does the Blood Test Work?

The test developed at Dana-Farber examines blood for specific cancer DNA, particularly mutations in the EGFR gene.

It is important to clarify that this is a research study.

The test is still being evaluated and does not replace routine medical care.

The goal of EQUAL is to determine whether this test can detect EGFR-positive lung cancer early.

The study also aims to understand what Latino and Asian communities think about lung cancer screening.

This includes learning about their concerns, experiences, and the factors that influence their decisions about getting tested.

With this information, researchers hope to improve early detection options for more people.

Who Is Leading the Study?

The EQUAL study is led by Dr. Narjust Florez, a thoracic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Dr. Florez is Associate Director of the Cancer Care Equity Program and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Her team includes researchers from Dana-Farber and collaborators from Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The study is being conducted throughout Massachusetts. You can participate regardless of where you receive your medical care.

Who Can Participate?

The study is open to people who do not use tobacco (or have smoked fewer than 400 cigarettes in their lifetime) and identify as Latino, Hispanic, or Asian, or as being of East Asian or Southeast Asian origin:

People ages 50 to 80.
People ages 40 to 80 who also meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have a family member with EGFR-positive lung cancer;
- Have a history of tuberculosis or active asthma; or
- Have symptoms such as shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or unexplained weight loss.

The study team will evaluate additional eligibility criteria on a case-by-case basis.

Participants must also be able to read and understand the informed consent form in one of the available languages: Spanish, Portuguese, English, Chinese (Simplified or Traditional), Korean, or Vietnamese.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the study team directly.

Important: This study does not replace medical care. If you have symptoms such as coughing up blood, do not wait—seek medical attention immediately.

What Does Participation Involve?

Once the study team confirms that you meet the eligibility requirements, participation involves just a few steps.

The process can also be completed by phone, in person, or by mail.

Registration and consent. Register on the study website by clicking the “Join Now” button and sign the consent form electronically through a platform called Vibrent.
Intake questionnaire. Answer questions about your age, gender, place of residence, and family medical history so the team can better understand your health background.
Blood test. A small blood sample is collected in two tubes (one or two teaspoons of blood) to look for EGFR-positive lung cancer. The blood draw can take place at Dana-Farber, at a participating hospital, or at your home. The team can travel to your home or another location where you would prefer to have the sample collected.
Results. If the result is positive, your doctor or the study team will contact you and connect you with a healthcare provider at the institution of your choice. If the result is negative, you will be notified by phone, email, or postal mail.
If the result is positive, the team will help you arrange a chest CT scan, which will be covered by the study. You will not be responsible for the cost of this scan.

Optional Activities

In addition to the main study, you may choose to participate in three optional activities:

Survey: Answer brief questions about what you know and think about lung cancer screening. You can complete the survey at a time that works best for you: at the clinic, by phone, on paper, online, or during your blood draw.
Focus group: Take part in a secure video call lasting 60 to 90 minutes to discuss the survey topics. It takes place a few months after the blood test, and translation services are available.
InAdvance study: Donate three additional tubes of blood to Dana-Farber’s sample bank. These samples may be used in future research and shared with other laboratories to advance cancer research and treatment.

Compensation and Costs

You will receive a $50 debit card for completing the blood test for the main study.
Optional activities (the survey and focus group) offer additional compensation. The study team will provide details about the amounts.

You will not have to pay for the blood test or imaging studies related to the research.

Parking validation is available at some locations. Check with the research team for details.

Please note that the study does not cover ongoing medical care, such as additional tests or treatments, after study activities are completed.

If you do not have health insurance, the team can help you explore coverage options.

Benefits and Risks

Potential benefits:

If your result is positive, you may be able to take early action to improve the chances of successful treatment before the cancer progresses.
Your participation may help generate knowledge that improves health outcomes for future patients in your community.

As with any research study, participation may not provide a direct benefit to you.

Potential risks:

Pain, bleeding, or bruising from the blood draw.
“False-positive” results (indicating cancer when there is none) or “false-negative” results (failing to detect existing cancer), which could cause anxiety.
A low risk of loss of confidentiality, although the data are stored securely.

Your Privacy and Your Right to Withdraw

Each participant is assigned a study identification number that is different from their medical record number and Social Security number.

Samples are also identified using a code, and information is stored in secure systems accessible only to authorized personnel.

Samples and data from the main study will not be used for other research after the study ends. This is different if you choose to participate in the optional InAdvance study.

You may withdraw from the study at any time, and your medical care will not be affected.

Information collected up to that point will remain in the records in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

To withdraw, you must notify the study team in writing.

Do You Know Someone Who Might Qualify?

The EQUAL team encourages participants to invite family members and friends who meet the eligibility requirements.

Dana-Farber even provides a letter in Spanish that you can share with loved ones.

If someone in your family is Latino, does not smoke, and is between 40 and 80 years old, this information may be helpful to them.

How to Participate or Get More Information

Website: equalstudy.dana-farber.org. The “Join Now” button is in the upper-right corner and at the bottom of the page.
Email: EQUALstudy@dfci.harvard.edu
Phone: (857) 215-2794
Social media: Instagram @Florezlab · X @florez_lab

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional. Information about the study is based on official materials from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as of October 2026.

At My Health Fair, we thank Dr. Narjust Florez, principal investigator of the EQUAL study, for reviewing this article and helping us ensure that information reaches our community in a clear and accurate way.

Her commitment to equity in cancer care is essential to helping more Latino families access early detection.

Sources

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The EQUAL Study (official website, homepage, frequently asked questions, and research team). https://equalstudy.dana-farber.org/
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Participate in the EQUAL Study! (Spanish-language flyer).
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. EQUAL Study: Closing Gaps in Lung Cancer Screening (Spanish-language brochure).
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology. Letter to Family and Friends About the EQUAL Study