Nonadherence to Low-Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screenings: Socioeconomic Profile of High-Risk Patients From a Pilot Study
Ra’Ann Merceir 1; Lin Zhu, PhD1; Timmy R. Lin1; Cherie P. Erkmen, MD1,2; Grace X. Ma, PhD 1,3
1 Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, PA
2 Department of Thoracic Surgery and Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University Philadelphia, PA
Background: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans have reported a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality among high-risk patients. This descriptive study seeks to examine the socioeconomic profile of patients who did not adherent to the LDCT and examine the social disparities in factors that may influence adherence.
Methods: A survey was conducted over the phone to patients with initial negative LDCT screenings from 2016-2019 at Temple University Hospital. Surveys were used to evaluate participant’s health literacy, beliefs, psychosocial factors, patient-provider relationship, and knowledge of lung cancer screenings. We conducted descriptive analysis and bivariate analysis to examine the socioeconomic profile of 43 patients nonadherent to LDCT.
Results: Patients were between ages 55-80, have at least 30 pack-year smoking history, who are current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years. Over two-thirds of the study sample were African Americans (69.77%), followed by 20.93% non-Hispanic white, 4.96% Hispanic, and 4.96% Asian. Bivariable analysis results indicate lung cancer screening knowledge varied across racial groups. Non-Hispanic whites had the highest score of lung cancer knowledge followed by African Americans. Lung cancer screening knowledge also varied among education attainment levels. Those who graduated high school or have higher education had higher scores of lung cancer screening knowledge compared to those who did not graduate high school.
Conclusion: Our findings suggested that there is a low socioeconomic standing of LDCT nonadherence patients, and significant racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in lung cancer related knowledge.
Acknowledgement: This project was supported by Center for Asian Health’s funds (PI: Grace X. Ma, PhD), and TUFCCC/HC Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparity Partnership, Award Number U54 CA221704(5) (Contact PIs: Grace X. Ma, PhD and Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi, MD, PhD) from the National Cancer Institute of National Institutes of Health (NCI/NIH). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI/NIH.
Email questions and comments about this abstract to r.merceir@temple.edu.
