What are the similarities and differences in lung cancer symptom appraisal and help‐seeking according to smoking status? A qualitative study with lung cancer patients

Abstract

Objective: Lung cancer in never-smokers represents a growing proportion of patients. The relationship between smoking status, symptom appraisal and helpseeking behaviour is complex. Little is known about cancer symptom-related health behaviours according to smoking status. The aim of the study was to explore lung cancer patients' experiences of a lung cancer diagnosis, identifying differences by smoking history. Method:This was a qualitative study involving telephone interviews with 40 lung cancer patients (20 never smokers, 11 former smokers and 9 current smokers). We used framework analysis to analyse the data using the Common Sense Model of Illness Self-Regulation as a theoretical framework, developed after initial analysis.Results: All patients were likely to delay seeking help for symptoms in primary care regardless of smoking history, but for different reasons. Smoking history was instrumental to how individuals perceived and responded to early symptoms of lung cancer. Differences in interpretation and coping responses to new symptoms seemed to be caused by the higher presence of comorbidities due to smoking, and perceptions of the current state of health. Individuals with a smoking history reported acting with urgency in seeking help and follow up, whereas patients who experienced low levels of concern were more easily reassured by clinicians, resulting in delays.Conclusions: Never and former smokers perceive, interpret, and respond to symptoms of lung cancer differently to smokers. However, few people attribute their lung symptoms to cancer initially, even with a smoking history. Interventions that drive increased urgency and vigilance in never smokers may be effective.

The Role of Smoking Status in Making Risk-Informed Diagnostic Decisions in the Lung Cancer Pathway: A Qualitative Study of Health Care Professionals and Patients

“…Patient-reported harms were related to process issues such as delays and difficulty making decisions (see Table 5 ), rather than experiencing anxiety about cancer. Patients had low expectations about the likelihood of cancer, caused both by preexisting beliefs 25 and HCP strategies to reduce psychological distress, as described in the previous theme. Patients were falsely reassured that they were unlikely to have cancer.…”

“…We have published our findings in relation to the patient data elsewhere. 25 As part of our original analysis, extracts from patient interviews with people who have never smoked were identified that related to harms associated with decision making around diagnostic testing. These are also reported in this article.…”