Lung cancer screening program factors that influence psychosocial outcomes: A systematic review

Kathleen McFadden; Nicole M Rankin; Brooke Nickel; Tong Li; Chloe J Jennett; Ashleigh R Sharman; Samantha L Quaife; Rachael H Dodd; Nehmat Houssami

doi:10.1002/pon.6252

Lung cancer screening program factors that influence psychosocial outcomes: A systematic review

Psychooncology. 2024 Jan;33(1):e6252. doi: 10.1002/pon.6252. Epub 2023 Nov 16.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

PMID: 37971147
DOI: 10.1002/pon.6252

Abstract

Objectives: Lung cancer screening (LCS) programs are being designed and implemented globally. Early data suggests that the psychosocial impacts of LCS are influenced by program factors, but evidence synthesis is needed. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the impact of service-level factors on psychosocial outcomes to inform optimal LCS program design and future implementation.

Methods: Four databases were searched from inception to July 2023. Inclusion criteria were full-text articles published in English that reported an association between any program factors and psychosocial outcomes experienced during LCS. Study quality was appraised, and findings were synthesised narratively.

Results: Thirty-two articles were included; 29 studies were assessed at high or moderate risk of bias. Study designs were RCT (n = 3), pre-post (n = 6), cross-sectional (n = 12), mixed-methods (n = 1), and qualitative (n = 10) studies, and conducted primarily in the USA (n = 25). Findings suggested that targeted interventions can improve smoking-related or decisional psychosocial outcomes (e.g., smoking cessation interventions increase readiness/motivation to quit) but impacts of interventions on other psychological outcomes were varied. There was limited evidence reporting association between service delivery components and psychological outcomes, and results suggested moderation by individual aspects (e.g., expectation of results, baseline anxiety). Opportunities for discussion were key in reducing psychological harm.

Conclusions: Certain program factors are reportedly associated with psychosocial impacts of LCS, but study heterogeneity and quality necessitate more real-world studies. Future work should examine (a) implementation of targeted interventions and high-value discussion during LCS, and (b) optimal methods and timing of risk and result communication, to improve psychosocial outcomes while reducing time burden for clinicians.

Keywords: cancer; cancer screening; diagnostic screening programs; implementation science; oncology; psycho-oncology.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Early Detection of Cancer*
Humans
Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis