A behavioural intervention to encourage people at increased risk of lung cancer to seek help for respiratory symptoms has led to more consultations but failed to reduce the time to consultation and a potential diagnosis.
The CHEST Australia trial, conducted in general practices in Perth and Melbourne, comprised 551 long-term smokers and ex-smokers over age 55 years.
The intervention group received a self-help manual about chest symptoms that call for action, were assisted to develop action and coping plans and provided with monthly prompts to monitor their symptoms. People randomised to the control group received only a brief discussion about lung health.
The study, published in Thorax, found a 40% relative increase in consultation rates for respiratory symptoms in the intervention group during the following 12 months but no difference in total consultation rates between the groups.
It also found the time from symptom onset to consultation was a non-significant nine days shorter in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Secondary outcomes such as cancer-related anxiety, depression and quality of life scores were not significantly different between the two groups.
The cost per additional consultation was estimated at $1,289.
Lead researcher Dr Jon Emery told the limbic the findings highlight some of the difficulties in changing behaviour in this patient group.