Impact of Attitudes Toward Lung Cancer

Summary

This non-experimental, pilot study is designed to assess patients[Right Quote] concerns about lung cancer stigma through use of 45-minute open-ended group or individual interviews (open-ended questions given in Appendix 2) and qualitative methods of coding responses. We anticpate 90 subjects enrolled in the study (66 subjects from individual interviews- and 24 group interview subjects). Our aims are exploratory (not hypothesis driven); data will be used to inform further research on the topic of lung cancer stigma. This qualitative pilot data will help inform development of a measure of lung cancer stigma that will be used in a subsequent study with a larger number of participants. Research participants for the current study include 90 lung cancer patients (45 women; 45 men) who are being seen for outpatient care at UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Parkland Oncology Clinic. To gain perspective on lung cancer stigma from a variety of patients, we anticipate recruiting 45 current smokers and 45 non-current smokers (who may or may not have smoked in the past). Eligible participants will include adults who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, are fluent in English, and do not have significant cognitive or speech impairment. Participants will be compensated for their time with $15 gift cards. Participant responses will be transcribed and coded into thematic elements. The interpretations of these codes will be used to develop a measure of lung cancer stigma. Current guidelines on measure development note that patient input ( often through use of interviews) is a necessary component of measure development.

Participant Eligibility

1) Adults aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed with lung cancer and are outpatients at UTSW Simmons Cancer Center or Parkland Oncology Clinic.