Preventive Medicine Reports (Oct 2023)

Motivation, acceptability and attitudes toward lung cancer screening among persons who attend a tobacco cessation program: A multicenter survey in Italy

  • Olivera Djuric,
  • Paolo Giorgi Rossi,
  • Elena Camelia Ivanciu,
  • Salvatore Cardellicchio,
  • Chiara Cresci,
  • Laura Carozzi,
  • Francesco Pistelli,
  • Valentina Bessi,
  • Patrizia Gai,
  • Valentina Galli,
  • Giacomo Lavacchini,
  • Claudia Bricci,
  • Giuseppe Gorini,
  • Sandra Bosi,
  • Eugenio Paci

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35
p. 102272

Abstract

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This study aimed to evaluate smoking cessation (SC) motivation and the acceptability of a lung cancer screening (LCS) program with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) among people who attend SC programs. A multicenter survey was conducted in the period January-December 2021 involving 197 people who attended group or individual SC courses in Reggio Emilia and Tuscany. Questionnaires, information sheets, and decision aids about the potential benefits and harms of LCS with LDCT were distributed at different time points during the course. The wish to protect own health (66%) was the most frequent reason given for quitting smoking, followed by cigarette dependence (40.6%) and current health problems (30.5%). Half of the participants (56%) considered periodic health checks including LDCT, as an advantageous activity. The great majority of participants were in favor of LCS (92%), with only 8% being indifferent, and no one was against these programs. Interestingly, those with sufficiently high smoking-related LC risk to be eligible for LCS and those attending the individual course were less in favor of LCS but also less concerned about the possible harms associated with LCS. The type of counseling was a significant predictor for both LCS acceptability and perceived harm of LCS. The favorable perception of LCS in people attending SC courses, despite the considerable preoccupation with potential harms, is an important finding of this study. Introducing a discussion on the benefits and harms of LCS in SC programs may prepare persons who smoke to make informed decisions on utilizing LCS.

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