Potential barriers to lung cancer screening in a minority population: Assessing attitudes, beliefs, and values towards screening with low-dose computed tomography amongst a high-risk minority population.

Authors

Richard Sheppard

Richard Stephen Sheppard

Harlem Hospital Center, New York, NY

Richard Stephen Sheppard, Stefani Beale, Janet Joseph, Sai Santhoshini Achi, Abosede Showunmi, Raji Ayinla, Meena Ahluwalia

Organizations

Harlem Hospital Center, New York, NY

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: While the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) has shown a relative reduction in mortality from lung cancer with the application of the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for the use of Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) in a select high risk population, many studies have shown that the rate of screening has been below the national average in minority population. Furthermore, lung cancer mortality still appears to be disproportionately higher amongst minority populations. With this study, we aim to evaluate the attitudes, beliefs and values towards lung cancer screening with LDCT in a predominantly Black and Hispanic population in our outpatient clinic. Methods: A survey was conducted over a 3-month period in our outpatient department at an urban inner-city safety net hospital. We included high risk smokers, aged 50 to 80 years who reported no evidence of symptoms. The survey consisted of 20 questions; these included utilizing the Health Belief Model to assess beliefs on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers to screening, questions exploring fears of cancer screening and questions assessing overall willingness to undergo lung cancer screening with LDCT. We also included a question on the willingness of participants to engage in educational sessions with regards to lung cancer screening and risk reduction. Results were collected and analyzed via univariate logistic regression model to compare patient populations. Results: 67 patients participated in our survey. 62% were Black, 34% were Hispanic and 4% were Asian/Pacific Islanders. The mean age of our population was 64.5 years and they had an average of 27.2 pack-years of smoking. Issues related to insurance coverage and co-pay were identified as the most significant concern with regards to the unwillingness to undergo screening (p < 0.05). Other concerns identified were the fear of a positive screening result, fear of radiation exposure and lack of understanding of the association with smoking history and lung cancer (p = 0.12). All participants responded yes to being open to be educated on reducing their risk of lung cancer (p < 0.05). Conclusions: While many factors still exist with regards to lung cancer screening in minority populations, the cost of medical care, fear of radiation exposure and anxiety were identified as potential barriers to willingness to screen. Structured educational programs were identified as a possible measure that can be implemented to address these factors, with the potential to increase the willingness to undergo screening in a high risk minority population.

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cost, Value, and Policy; Health Equity and Disparities; Patient Experience

Track

Cost, Value, and Policy,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Patient Experience,Quality, Safety, and Implementation Science

Sub Track

Guideline-Concordant Care Initiatives

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 28; abstr 17)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.39.28_suppl.17

Abstract #

17

Poster Bd #

B1

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

Abstract

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Rates of colorectal cancer screening versus lung cancer screening: Where does the problem lie?

First Author: Sasmith R. Menakuru

First Author: Jason Law

First Author: Sasmith R. Menakuru