A survey exploring health and screening tests in people treated for HL

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A study of health beliefs and cancer screening behaviours and intentions in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors

  • IRAS ID

    294794

  • Contact name

    Rachel Broadbent

  • Contact email

    rachel.broadbent-2@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 4 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Summary of Research

    People cured of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are at risk of developing second cancers, which are the commonest cause of death in long term HL survivors. The three most common second cancers affecting HL survivors are breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Although breast cancer is the most frequently occurring second cancer, gastrointestinal cancers (which include colorectal cancer) and lung cancers are the commonest causes of cancer related death in HL survivors, likely due to the availability of an early targeted breast cancer screening programme for HL survivors. Whilst there is no such targeted colorectal or lung cancer screening programme for HL survivors, colorectal cancer screening using the home test kit is offered to men and women aged 60-74 in the UK. Lung cancer screening using a low dose CT scan of the thorax is being piloted in England for people who have smoked and our group are developing a study to test the feasibility of lung cancer screening for HL survivors.
    Uptake of cancer screening tests is frequently suboptimal in the general population. There are a number of sociodemographic predictors of poor uptake of cancer screening tests including lower socioeconomic status, gender, age and level of education. The constructs in the Health Belief Model (HBM): - level of perceived risk, perceived benefits and barriers and self-efficacy (belief in ones’ ability) to undergo screening – have been shown to impact uptake of cancer screening.
    In this study, we will investigate the uptake rated (or willingness to be screened) of breast, colorectal and lung cancer screening in HL survivors. HL survivors registered in a follow-up programme at The Christie will be invited to complete a questionnaire survey. The survey will include scales based on the HBM for breast, colorectal and lung cancer. Clinical and sociodemographic data will be collected.

    Summary of Results

    The response rate to the questionnaire was 58% (n=165). Participants were more likely to be female, older and living in a less deprived area than non-participants. Uptake (at any time) of breast and bowel cancer screening among those previously invited was 99% and 77% respectively. 159 participants were at excess risk of lung cancer. The following results refer to these 159. Around half of them perceived themselves to be at greater risk of lung cancer than their peers.  Only 6% were eligible for lung cancer screening pilots aimed at ever smokers in the UK. 98% indicated they would probably or definitely participate in LCS were it available. An analysis was performed to find out what factors were associated with people being hesitant about lung cancer screening. Men, people living in less deprived areas and people who were less confident in their ability to perform the actions needed to attend, were all more hesitant about attending.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 1

  • REC reference

    21/WA/0071

  • Date of REC Opinion

    12 Mar 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion