2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP01.02-006. Excuse Me? Patient Perceptions of Lung Cancer Screening Results

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A study was conducted to determine how patients in an underserved area interpret the results of Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening and the factors that influence their interpretations. The study analyzed survey and chart results, as well as psychometrics, and obtained data from the medical records of 1500 patients who had undergone LDCT at the Charleston Area Medical Center between August 2020 and July 2021.<br /><br />The study found that only half of current smokers and a third of former smokers correctly correlated their cancer risk based on the LDCT results. Additionally, nearly 40% of patients with high-risk LDCT results thought their scan showed no to low cancer risk. As the malignancy risk increased, patients' interpretation of the results became less accurate. Patients with high-risk LDCT results were also more likely to be unclear about their results, and male patients were more likely to be unable to remember their results.<br /><br />However, the study showed that the majority of patients understood the recommendations for follow-up testing. 83.1% of patients with low-risk LDCT results and 95.1% of patients with high-risk LDCT results understood the need for repeat imaging in 6 months.<br /><br />The study concludes that lung cancer screening is poorly utilized in West Virginia, likely due to a lack of public awareness and health literacy. Patients are often uneducated about their cancer risk and lack understanding of high-risk LDCT results. Many patients are also unaware of the need for ongoing imaging, particularly after low-risk scans. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to effectively communicate the results and next steps to patients with potential malignant findings, providing reassurance, resources, and guidance to help them make informed decisions.

Asset Subtitle

Rayan Ihle

Meta Tag

Speaker Rayan Ihle

Topic Early Detection and Screening - Dissemination

Keywords

underserved area

Low-Dose Computed Tomography

LDCT

lung cancer screening

interpretation

patient

survey

chart results

psychometrics

medical records