Abstract
Background: While discussion continues over the future implementation of lung cancer screening, low participation from high risk groups could limit the effectiveness of any national screening programme.
Objectives: This study was done to determine the willingness of patients with high risk of lung cancer to participate in lung cancer screening programme if available to them and to elicit general attitudes towards cancer screening and factors that might affect participation in a screening program.
Design, setting and participants: We developed a written questionnaire, based on a published telephone interview scripts, addressing attitudes towards cancer screening, perceived risk of lung cancer, and willingness to be screened for lung cancer and to undertake surgery if lung cancer were detected. The questionnaire was given to 220 current and former smokers attending the medical clinic at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, a tertiary referral centra in Malaysia.
Results: The survey data showed that 123(78.8%) patients had poor knowledge towards cancer screening. 122(78%) were willing to undergo screening when told of the availability of low dose CT Thorax; however 63(51%) were reluctant when they were informed they had to pay for the procedure. In general, majority of patients 107(69%)are willing to undergo treatment if lung cancer are detected early.
Conclusions: Attitudes towards lung cancer screening among this high- risk group are complex. Invitation strategies with proper financial planning need to be carefully devised to achieve promising participation in lung cancer screening.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA3027.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019