Evaluation of a lung cancer screening programme attracting a cohort to actively participate in screening: Honghe Lung Cancer Medical Center Programme

BACKGROUND: A lung cancer screening project was conducted by attracting active participation to evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness in areas with poor basic medical education. METHODS: This project entailed a prospective, single-arm study which was conducted by means of delivering a lecture on lung cancer at the Honghe Lung Cancer Medical Center to attract public attention and attendance from 28 November 2020 to 21 December 2021. A questionnaire comprising 7 high-risk factors was completed by participants to identify high-risk individuals for further chest low-dose computed tomography examination. Non calcified nodules with a diameter ≥5 mm were deemed positive nodules. The positive nodules were discussed by a multidisciplinary team and treatment suggestions were given. Finally, we analyzed participant information, examination adherence, lung cancer detection rate, and staging. RESULTS: A total of 6,121 individuals were attracted to the project, and 5,925 (96.8%) agreed to participate. Of these, 5,889 (99.4%) completed the survey, with 4,627 (78.6%) in the high-risk group and 1,262 (21.4%) in the non-high-risk group. The proportion of males in the high-risk group was higher than that in the non-high-risk group, and the difference was statistically significant among those aged 40–49 years, 50–59, years and 60–69 years; P<0.01. In the high-risk population, 4,536 (98.0%) of participants adhered to examination, among whom 2,007 (44.2%) with positive nodules, 1,220 (26.9%) with negative nodules, and 1,309 (28.9%) without nodules showed statistical differences in age; P<0.01. The detection rate of lung cancer was 2.2% (99/4,536); 94.0% (93/99) of whom were stage 0–I patients. CONCLUSIONS: A health lecture-based approach to improving public participation in regions with poor health education is likely to be effective in promoting the early detection of lung cancer.