Barriers to lung cancer screening pathways v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the barriers that prevent access and adherence to lung cancer screening and diagnosis pathways for adults with serious mental illness
IRAS ID
348292
Contact name
Mark Edwards
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
A review in Southeast London found that lung cancer was the biggest cause of cancer death in people with severe mental illness (SMI). We have been funded by the Southeast London Cancer Alliance (SELCA) to understand the barriers that cause low uptake and engagement with lung cancer screening pathways amongst people with SMI in Southeast London. We are (1) collecting quantitative data from the South East London Integrated Care Board dashboards on the prevalence of people with SMI who are either eligible for lung cancer screening and their outcomes, or who have suspected or confirmed lung cancer, (2) collecting qualitative data from interviews with staff involved in screening pathways across primary and secondary care. Any staff who have experience of supporting people with SMI to engage with lung cancer screening would be eligible and they will be invited to a one-to-one online interview, and (3) running focus groups with people with SMI. People would be eligible if they have an SMI diagnosis, are 18 or over, have ever smoked, have experience of presenting to the GP with symptoms of lung cancer or have been identified as being eligible for the Targeted Ling Cancer Check Programme. They will be invited to take part in a 90 minute focus group either face to face or online. The focus groups will be conducted by the Woolwich Service User Project (WSUP). The interviews and focus groups will be analysed by the research team with input from WSUP. We will then run two workshops to co-create recommendations for new interventions or pathways from our findings with key stakeholders. The study lasts for 12 months.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0523
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion