Lung cancer screening in older adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lung cancer screening decision-making by older adults: a qualitative interview study
IRAS ID
343556
Contact name
Samuel W D Merriel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 29 days
Research summary
What is the problem?
Lung cancer is the largest most common cause of cancer death in Greater Manchester. Screening smokers and ex-smokers with chest scans can find lung cancers earlier and which are more likely to be successfully treated. In the UK, the Targeted Lung Health Check programme offers a risk assessment, known as a Lung Health Check (LHC), to people aged 55-74 years who have ever smoked.Almost half of lung cancers in the UK are found in people aged 75 and over. The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is piloting an extended Lung Health Check called an LHC-Plus for older people (aged 75-80). The LHC-Plus includes the standard LHC risk assessment, as well as checking other important age-related health factors such as long-term health conditions, frailty, and memory problems.
What does the study involve?
This study will be open to older people invited for an LHC-Plus, whether they attend the LHC-Plus or not. Participants will have an interview to explore what they know about lung cancer screening and what affected their choice to attend the LHC-Plus. The interview will be conducted in-person, via telephone, or using online tools such as Microsoft Teams. Interviews are expected to last up to one hour and will be recorded for the researchers. People being interviewed can have a carer, partner, or family member present if they wish. Once the interview is done, nothing further is needed from the participants.What is the potential difference this study will make?
The findings of this study will be shared with cancer researchers and national policy makers to make the case for raising the lung cancer screening age. It will find new ideas on how to reduce risks of harm and support decision-making for older people.Lay summary of study results: What is the problem?
Lung cancer is the largest most common cause of cancer death in Greater Manchester. Screening smokers and ex-smokers with chest scans can find lung cancers earlier and which are more likely to be successfully treated. In the UK, the Targeted Lung Health Check programme offers a risk assessment, known as a Lung Health Check (LHC), to people aged 55-74 years who have ever smoked.Almost half of lung cancers in the UK are found in people aged 75 and over. The Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is piloting an extended Lung Health Check called an LHC-Plus for older people (aged 75-80). The LHC-Plus includes the standard LHC risk assessment, as well as checking other important age-related health factors such as long-term health conditions, frailty, and memory problems.
What did the study involve?
This study was open to older people invited for an LHC-Plus, whether they attend the LHC-Plus or not. Participants had an interview to explore what they know about lung cancer screening and what affects their choice to attend the LHC-Plus. The interviews were conducted in-person, via telephone, or using online tools such as Microsoft Teams. The interviews to last up to 30 minutes and were recorded for the researchers.What did the study find?
24 interviews were completed with 13 men and 11 women aged 75 to 80 years old. Most people interviewed felt lung cancer was a very serious and potentially fatal diagnosis. They linked risk of getting lung cancer largely to whether a person smoked or not. Some people were afraid of being diagnosed with lung cancer if they had the screening tests, and other were hopeful if it can be caught early they could be treated and live longer lives. Family, friends, and fears of being diagnosed with lung cancer too late were the main reasons for attending the LHC-Plus appointment. Most people who attended their LHC-Plus appointment felt the process was easy and the staff very trustworthy.What is the potential difference this study will make?
The findings of this study will now be shared with cancer researchers and national policy makers to support the case for raising the lung cancer screening age. They will also help doctors, nurses and healthcare managers deliver lung health checks in a way that will make more people want to go ahead with screening.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0178
Date of REC Opinion
30 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion