Why do people who agreed to participate in lung screening change their mind?

Abstract

Background: If people make an appointment for cancer screening, it suggests they are motivated to attend the appointment. As with other heath behaviours, this intention does not always translate into action and ‘did not attend’ (DNA) and cancellations are frequent outcomes at screening clinics. Orbell & Sheeran (1998) used the term inclined abstainer to describe people with positive intentions who fail to act. The aim of this study is to explore the decision making process and barriers to attendance among people who initially arranged a lung screening appointment, but who later cancelled or did not attend. Methods: This study will use semi-structured interviews with inclined abstainers from the Early Cancer detection test - Lung cancer Scotland (ECLS) Trial (n=20). The data will be analysed using a framework approach. The demographic characteristics of the participants including age, gender and area-level deprivation will be assessed. Expected Results: We anticipate potential themes explaining why people change their mind may include: i) increasing fear of what the test may find as the appointment date approaches, and ii) unanticipated events arising at the time of the appointment. Current Stage of Work : Recruitment and data collection is currently underway. Discussion : Cancer screening rates remain suboptimal, and cancellations and DNAs are costly to the NHS. Inclined abstainers are of particular interest because they show some motivation to participate in screening but fail to act. Understanding the barriers to action may identify intervention opportunities to support screening attendance.