Lung cancer : journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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Anticipating the development of lung cancer early detection programs, we examined the: (1) feasibility of a lung cancer early detection program; (2) characteristics of enrollees (e.g. motivation to quit smoking); (3) correlates of enrollee motivation to quit smoking; and (4) rates of smoking cessation following screening. Brief surveys were completed before and after screening, which involved sputum cytology, chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, spiral CT, and a meeting with an oncologist to discuss smoking cessation. Of the 168 eligible women who were heavy smokers recruited via newspaper and cancer center advertisements, 55 agreed to undergo screening. ⋯ Finally, 16% of enrollees quit smoking after screening. Overall, many women eligible for screening refused to undergo comprehensive screening that included bronchoscopy and spiral CT. Screening may represent an opportunity for quitting smoking, although more intensive smoking cessation interventions that target nicotine addiction and self-efficacy may be needed to maximize the health benefits of an early detection program.