Patient impressions of the impact of comorbidities on lung cancer screening benefits and harms: A qualitative analysis.
Minal S Kale, Michael Diefenbach, Sybil Masse and 2 others
PMID 36528981WHAT IT FOUND
Patients eligible for lung cancer screening with comorbidities said their chronic illnesses did not change their desire for screening; they feared cancer more than possible test harms and wanted screening regardless of provider advice.
Key findings
01After interviewers described how comorbidities could affect screening, participants said they perceived no relationship between their comorbidities and fitness for lung cancer screening.
02Participants said the knowledge gained from screening was valuable enough to outweigh possible complications, and they feared cancer more than their existing comorbidities or screening risks.
03Participants said they would seek screening even if a provider told them they were a poor candidate, including by seeking other opinions or another provider.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was small and included only English-speaking patients from one academic medical center, so the views may not apply to other populations. It reported patient perceptions and preferences, not screening outcomes, harms, or benefits. The eligibility criteria reflected an older lung cancer screening guideline, so current screening candidates may differ.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The article is supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these patient views as evidence that lung cancer screening is safe or beneficial for people with comorbidities. This qualitative study described preferences and decision-making beliefs, not screening outcomes.