Psychological impact of lung cancer screening using a novel antibody blood test followed by imaging: the ECLS randomized controlled trial

J Hancox, K Ayling, L Bedford, K Vedhara, J F R Roberston, B Young, R das Nair, F M Sullivan, S Schembri, F S Mair, R Littleford, D Kendrick*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: The Early CDT®-Lung antibody blood test plus serial computed tomography scans for test-positives (TPGs) reduces late-stage lung cancer presentation. This study assessed the psychological outcomes of this approach.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial (n = 12 208) comparing psychological outcomes 1-12 months post-recruitment in a subsample (n = 1032) of TPG, test-negative (TNG) and control groups (CG).

Results: Compared to TNG, TPG had lower positive affect (difference between means (DBM), 3 months (3m: -1.49 (-2.65, - 0.33)), greater impact of worries (DBM 1m: 0.26 (0.05, 0.47); 3m: 0.28 (0.07, 0.50)), screening distress (DBM 1m: 3.59 (2.28, 4.90); 3m: 2.29 (0.97, 3.61); 6m: 1.94 (0.61, 3.27)), worry about tests (odds ratio (OR) 1m: 5.79 (2.66, 12.63) and more frequent lung cancer worry (OR 1m: 2.52 (1.31, 4.83); 3m: 2.43 (1.26, 4.68); 6m: 2.87 (1.48, 5.60)). Compared to CG, TPG had greater worry about tests (OR 1m: 3.40 (1.69, 6.84)). TNG had lower negative affect (log-transformed DBM 3m: -0.08 (-0.13, -0.02)), higher positive affect (DBM 1m: 1.52 (0.43, 2.61); 3m: 1.43 (0.33, 2.53); 6m: 1.27 (0.17, 2.37)), less impact of worries (DBM 3m: -0.27 (-0.48, -0.07)) and less-frequent lung cancer worry (OR 3m: 0.49 (0.26, 0.92)).

Conclusions: Negative psychological effects in TPG and positive effects in TNG were short-lived and most differences were small.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberfdac032
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Public Health
Early online date14 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 14 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • Behavioural medicine
  • Early detection of cancer
  • Lung neoplasms
  • Psychology
  • Screening

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