Qualitative study of readiness to quit smoking in lung screening
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising Smoking Cessation in Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) - A Qualitative Study to Map Readiness to Quit
IRAS ID
347463
Contact name
Angela Attwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, days
Research summary
NHS Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHCs), soon to be renamed Lung Cancer Screening (LCS), invite current and ex-smokers (aged 55 and over) to attend lung health checks to encourage early detection of lung problems including cancers. It is recognised that this could be a teachable moment for many smokers and smoking cessation support should be offered to smokers attending the service. Through lots of research, a model of effective smoking cessation support has been identified, which includes both pharmacological (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy) and behavioural support. However, these have been developed and tested with smoking cessation services where people are attending because they have made the decision to quit. Opportunistic settings like LCS (i.e. settings where people are attending for another reason) will include people visiting who are not considering quitting and may not feel ready to. This would suggest that standard 'best practice' in smoking cessation support might not be enough. This study will interview smokers attending LCS and explore the concept of quitting readiness and how it may be supported in opportunistic settings alongside standing cessation support.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0077
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion