Lung cancer screening barriers and facilitators among high-risk individuals: A descriptive qualitative study
- 1The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
- 2Corresponding author.
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although screening plays a crucial role in reducing lung cancer mortality, the screening uptake rate remains low. Purpose: We aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators associated with lung cancer screening participation among high-risk individuals, defined by established risk factors including smoking history, passive smoking exposure, older age, family history of lung cancer, occupational exposures, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted between November and December 2024. Semi-structured interviews guided by the Health Belief Model were conducted with 30 high-risk individuals recruited from a community health center in Jinan, China. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: We identified seven themes and 17 subthemes reflecting facilitators and barriers to lung cancer screening among high-risk individuals. Facilitators included health awareness and literacy, influence and experiences of others, and policy, while barriers included misconceptions, cultural stigma and taboos, stoicism and prioritisation of responsibilities over personal health, and practical barriers. Conclusion: We identified critical cultural, cognitive, and practical factors associated with lung cancer screening decisions among high-risk individuals in China. These findings might inform the design and implementation of multifaceted strategies to improve screening uptake. Nurse-led components could include targeted education and culturally tailored communication to address individual-level barriers, while broader strategies could focus on raising public awareness, improving access to screening services, and promoting standardised screening practices.
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BibTeX
@article{yang2026lung,
title = {{Lung cancer screening barriers and facilitators among high-risk individuals: A descriptive qualitative study}},
author = {Yuan Yang and Winnie Kwok-wei So and Bei Dong and Shishuang Zhou},
journal = {International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100738},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100738},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lung cancer screening barriers and facilitators among high-risk individuals: A descriptive qualitative study
AU - Yuan Yang
AU - Winnie Kwok-wei So
AU - Bei Dong
AU - Shishuang Zhou
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/14
JO - International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances
DO - 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100738
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100738
AB - Background: Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although screening plays a crucial role in reducing lung cancer mortality, the screening uptake rate remains low. Purpose: We aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators associated with lung cancer screening participation among high-risk individuals, defined by established risk factors including smoking history, passive smoking exposure, older age, family history of lung cancer, occupational exposures, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted between November and December 2024. Semi-structured interviews guided by the Health Belief Model were conducted with 30 high-risk individuals recruited from a community health center in Jinan, China. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: We identified seven themes and 17 subthemes reflecting facilitators and barriers to lung cancer screening among high-risk individuals. Facilitators included health awareness and literacy, influence and experiences of others, and policy, while barriers included misconceptions, cultural stigma and taboos, stoicism and prioritisation of responsibilities over personal health, and practical barriers. Conclusion: We identified critical cultural, cognitive, and practical factors associated with lung cancer screening decisions among high-risk individuals in China. These findings might inform the design and implementation of multifaceted strategies to improve screening uptake. Nurse-led components could include targeted education and culturally tailored communication to address individual-level barriers, while broader strategies could focus on raising public awareness, improving access to screening services, and promoting standardised screening practices.
SN - 2666-142X
ER -