Factors related with colorectal and stomach cancer screening practice among disease-free lung cancer survivors in Korea

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer survivors are more likely to develop colorectal and stomach cancer than the general population. However, little is known about the current status of gastrointestinal cancer screening practices and related factors among lung cancer survivors. METHODS: We enrolled 829 disease-free lung cancer survivors ≥40 years of age, who had been treated at two hospitals from 2001 to 2006. The patients completed a questionnaire that included stomach and colorectal cancer screening after lung cancer treatment, as well as other sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Among lung cancer survivors, correlations with stomach and colorectal screening recommendations were 22.7 and 25.8%, respectively. Of these, 40.7% reported receiving physician advice to screen for second primary cancer (SPC). Those who were recommended for further screening for other cancers were more likely to receive stomach cancer screening [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) = 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–2.30] and colorectal cancer screening [aOR = 1.37, 95% CI, 0.99–1.90]. Less-educated lung cancer survivors were less likely to have stomach and colorectal cancer screenings. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of a physician’s advice for SPC screening and lower educational status had negative impact on the gastrointestinal cancer screening rates of lung cancer survivors. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3583-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.