Early detection through screening can improve cancer survival by identifying it when it's most treatable. The NHS now offers Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) assessments to people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked. Those at higher risk of lung cancer are offered a lung scan.
This group also has a high risk of developing abdominal cancers, such as kidney cancer. A recent study explored whether it would be feasible to extend the lung scan to include the abdomen. Results showed most participants supported this addition, and the number of serious findings was similar to those detected in UK breast or bowel cancer screening programmes.
However, the abdominal scan was only offered on the day of the lung scan, giving little time for people to consider their decision. The process also added too much time to be practical for widespread implementation.
This new study will:
* Test whether mentioning the possible abdominal scan in the initial LCS invitation affects participation in LCS assessments. * Test new processes to assess if the abdominal scan can be added to the lung scan with minimal extra time. * Check if participants can be split between the lung scan only group and lung and abdominal scan group using an approach called 'cluster randomisation'. This will be important in case a bigger trial is needed. * See whether the additional processes are acceptable
People aged 55-70 who are invited to the lung cancer screening will be eligible to take part in this study. Only those who are found to be at a high risk of lung cancer after their assessment, and therefore offered a lung scan, will be offered the abdominal scan, provided they have not had an abdominal scan in the previous 12 months or one booked in the next 3 months.
This study will take place in two existing lung cancer screening locations in Yorkshire.
For the individual level randomisation to invitation control or invitation intervention
Be eligible to be invited to the first round of a West Yorkshire and Harrogate LCS or a Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance LCS (i.e. have been identified as a smoker or ex-smoker and registered as living within the relevant LCS catchment area).
Be registered with a GP in England.
Be aged 55-70 years 364 days old at the date of invitation.
Eligibility criteria for the cluster level randomisation to scan intervention or scan control
Have been individually randomised to the invitation intervention arm
Have booked in for a LCS assessment
Have been randomised to the scan intervention cluster
University of Cambridge
Lead sponsor
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Collaborator