Focus Groups and In-depth Interviews to Guide the Development of Lung Cancer Screening Informational Materials

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the USA. In 2013, new guidelines issued by the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography among a selected group of high-risk individuals. Specifically, lung cancer screening is recommended for heavy smokers between the ages of 55 to 79, with at least 30 pack-year smoking exposure. Former smokers who meet these guidelines and stopped smoking ≤ 15 years ago are also eligible. There is a need to promote lung cancer screening to increase early diagnosis rates and treatment options, thereby decreasing disease-specific mortality. This study was conducted to refine educational materials used to inform eligible high-risk individuals about the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening. Focus groups (n = 16) and in-depth telephone interviews (n = 5) were conducted among screening-eligible participants recruited from western New York. Main themes that emerged from the discussions included cost of obtaining the exam, eligibility criteria/information about the exam, apprehension regarding results, and an increased desire for discussions with their physician to learn more about the screening. The information gained from this study is vital to understanding concerns held by current and former smokers regarding lung cancer screening, as well as critical to determining which information is most valuable for decreasing barriers and correcting misperceptions about the lung cancer screening exam.