Attitudes Towards Screening for Lung Cancer Among Smokers and their Non-smoking Counterparts

Gerard Silvestri ^1*, Paul Nietert ¹, James Zoller ², Cindy Carter ¹ and David Bradford ¹

¹ Medical University of South Carolina, United States
² Medical University of south Carolina, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: silvestri{at}musc.edu.

Accepted 29 September 2006

Abstract

Background: There has been resurgence of interest in lung cancer screening using low dose computed tomography (CT). Little exploration into the implications of directing a screening program at smokers has been undertaken.

Methods: A nationwide telephone survey was conducted. Demographics, certain clinical characteristics, and attitudes about screening for lung cancer were ascertained. Responses of current (CS), former (FS) and never (NS) smokers were compared.

Results: 2,001 persons were interviewed. Smokers were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely than NS to be male, non-white, less educated, and to report poor health status or having had cancer, and less likely to be able to identify a usual source of healthcare. Compared to NS, CS were less likely to believe that early detection would result in a good chance of survival (p<0.05). Smokers are less likely to be willing to consider CT screening for lung cancer (71.2% (CS) vs 87.6% (NS) odds ratio = 0.48; 95% confidence interval [0.32, 0.71]). More NS as opposed to CS felt that the risk of disease (88% vs 56%) and the accuracy of the test (92% vs 71%) were important determinants in deciding whether to be screened(p <0.05). Only half of the CS would opt for surgery for a screen diagnosed cancer.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that there may be substantial obstacles to the successful implementation of a mass screening program for lung cancer that will target cigarette smokers.

Keywords: Computed tomography, Lung cancer, Cigarette smoking, Prevention, Screening

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Articles

Airwaves

Wisia Wedzicha
Thorax 2007 62: 101. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Berrington de Gonzalez, A., Kim, K. P., Berg, C. D (2008). Low-dose lung computed tomography screening before age 55: estimates of the mortality reduction required to outweigh the radiation-induced cancer risk. J Med Screen 15: 153-158 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ravenel, J. G., Costello, P., Silvestri, G. A. (2008). Screening for Lung Cancer. Am. J. Roentgenol. 190: 755-761 [Abstract] [Full Text]