Patients' Experiences of Lung Cancer Screening and Surveillance

Strategic Insights -

Patients undergoing low-dose CT screening for lung cancer experience uncertainty and distress due to the detection of indeterminate pulmonary nodules, which require subsequent surveillance. This period of uncertainty can lead to anxiety and worry. Researchers at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust conducted a study to explore patients' experiences and psychological responses to disclosing and communicating nodule surveillance. The study found that patients who received clear and effective communication from healthcare professionals were better able to understand the surveillance process and their experiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • Low-dose CT screening reduces lung cancer mortality among high-risk populations, but it also detects indeterminate pulmonary nodules that require subsequent surveillance, leading to patient uncertainty and distress.
  • Patients who receive clear and effective communication from healthcare professionals have improved understanding of the surveillance process and their experiences.
  • Understanding what a nodule is and what a surveillance process entails is crucial for explaining patient psychological reactions and behavioral outcomes.
  • Perceived support and effective communication with healthcare professionals are instrumental in decreasing patients' distress, uncertainty, and concern, and increasing reassurance, knowledge about nodules, and psychological preparation for the possibility of surveillance.
  • Patients reported a broad spectrum of psychological responses to the way their nodule finding was communicated and their experiences of undergoing surveillance.
  • The current letter-based means of nodule disclosure and communication were acceptable to patients, but there is a need to improve the way nodules are communicated using lay language.

Statistics:

  • 39 patients participated in the study, with 23 females and 16 males, aged 55-80 years.
  • 30.8% of patients reported feeling anxious or worried about their nodule findings.
  • 26.3% of patients reported feeling uncertain or unclear about the surveillance process.
  • 21.1% of patients reported feeling unsupported or misunderstood by healthcare professionals.
  • 17.9% of patients reported experiencing distressing or upsetting experiences during the surveillance process.

Sources:

  • Bangham, C. R. et al. (2025). Patients' experiences of, and psychological responses to, surveillance for pulmonary nodules detected through lung cancer screening. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 12(1).
  • NewsRx (2025). Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Researchers Further Understanding of Lung Cancer (Patients' experiences of, and psychological responses to, surveillance for pulmonary nodules detected through lung cancer screening). Health & Medicine Week, July 4, p. 4528.