Awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors

Introduction Majority of lung cancers (LC) are diagnosed in a late stage, which might be related to lack of LC risk factors, symptoms and prognosis awareness. The aim of this study was to evaluate these factors in Estonia. Materials A survey was conducted to assess the awareness of LC risk factors, symptoms and prognosis. Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher and chi-square tests were used to compare the groups. Results Altogether 403 participants (108 male, 295 female; median age 29 (range 13 to 74) years; 98 smokers, 90 ex-smokers and 212 non-smokers) completed the survey (321 filled in online questionnaire, 82 were interviewed face-to-face). Three per cent of the respondents were unable to name any LC risk factor, 36% named one and 61% two or more. Smoking was mentioned most commonly (96%), others far less often. When presented with a list of different LC risk factors 99,7% of the respondents recognised 2 or more; most commonly again smoking (99%), followed by second-hand smoking (95%) and previous LC or family history of LC (87%). Concerning LC symptoms, 17% were unable to name any, 21% named one and 62% named 2 or more. Prolonged cough was mentioned most often (59%), followed by dyspnea (45%) and chest pain (30%). When presented with a list, 99% of respondents recognised 2 or more symptoms linked with LC. Again prolonged cough most often (86%), followed by weakness (85%) and chest pain (82%). There were no statistical differences in LC symptom, risk factor or prognosis awareness among smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. There were some differences related to age, sex, education and type of used questionnaire. Conclusions Awareness of LC risks and symptoms are relatively low in general population without differences between smokers and non-smokers.