P2.08-014 Lung Cancer Awareness and Barriers to Primary Care in Ireland: Topic: Other

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in Ireland. * Previous research has shown awareness of lung cancer is high yet the majority of lung cancer patients continue to be diagnosed at an advanced stage.** In 2015 the Irish Cancer Society performed an online survey to examine the attitudes of the public in relation to the signs and symptoms of lung cancer and identify the perceived barriers for people accessing their GPs/pharmacists with symptoms. Objectives:•Test awareness of prevalence, symptoms, causes and impact of lung cancer.•Examine the incidence of recent interactions with health care professionals on the subject of lung health.•Identify the barriers to accessing primary care for lung cancer symptoms.•Examine the experiences of those who have had interactions. Online survey of 1000 adults and booster sample of 100 smokers 65+. Sample was quota controlled on gender, age, social class and region to ensure a representative sample. •47% identified lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland.•Half of Irish adults and 31% of smokers claim to be unconcerned about being diagnosed with the disease.•79% of smokers claimed to have never spoken with a doctor/pharmacist about lung health and 59% of smokers have never spoken with a doctor/pharmacist about giving up smoking.•54% said they would not go to their doctor if they had one or more symptoms of lung cancer due to obstacles like fear (22%), expense of doctor’s visit (17%), because it is not serious enough (19%).•37% of smokers would be discouraged from visiting a doctor with symptoms.•Reasons included don’t think there is much a doctor can do for their lung health (11%), worried about what they would be told (32%), too expensive (20%) and don’t want a lecture on smoking (20%). This study reveals a number of barriers to early detection of lung cancer which in turn can lead to late diagnoses. These include a lack of awareness and underestimating the severity of the disease. The cost, anxiety, and fatalistic attitude are barriers which can influence the design of a lung cancer awareness campaign. Enabling health professionals and establishing accessible services to address lung health with high risk populations in a supportive manner will improve early detection of lung cancer.