Patient-Reported Barriers and Preferred Interventions to Improve Lung Cancer Screening Uptake

Lung cancer screening (LCS) utilization remains low. We aimed at assessing LCS patient-reported barriers and preferred interventions to improve uptake.

Between July and November 2023, an electronic 60-item survey was completed by consented patients aged 50 to 80 years who were due to receive LCS, and their eligibility for LCS was confirmed. The survey assessed patients' LCS perceptions and preferences to increase uptake. Regression analyses was performed to assess associated sociodemographic factors.

In all, 12,558 patients were contacted; 1,396 responded, 871 were interested, and 86 were eligible and enrolled (mean age: 62.4; 40% female; 79.1% White, 4.7% Asian, 2.3% Black). LCS was perceived as beneficial for early lung cancer detection by 91.9%, yet only 24.4% had undergone LCS previously. Of the respondents, 54.7% identified barriers to LCS with the most common being cost (23.3%) and lack of symptoms (23.3%). Current (versus former) smokers reported higher barrier scores (B coefficient: 7.06, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-13.12) and lower self-efficacy scores (B coefficient: -5.15; 95% CI, -8.73 to -1.56). Patients with prior cancer screening had higher self-efficacy scores (B coefficient, 8.92; 95% CI, 1.95-15.88). Preferred interventions included patient reminders (63.3%), primary care provider notification about LCS eligibility (62.0%), and educational materials (60.8%). Patients with higher self-efficacy (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.06-1.27) were more likely to prefer reminders. Patients with personal cancer history were more likely to prefer primary care provider notification (odds ratio, 5.81; 95% CI, 1.15,29.22).

Our results underscore the LCS perceived benefits and barriers, as well as patient-preferred interventions to enhance screening participation.