The Chest Australia Trial

This multi-site RCT builds on a Scottish trial of a behavioural intervention aimed at promoting earlier help-seeking for respiratory symptoms among adults at increased risk of lung cancer. Eligible participants were long-term smokers with at least 20 pack-years, aged 55 and above. The behavioural intervention consisted of a consultation to discuss and implement a self-help manual, followed by self-monitoring reminders to encourage help-seeking for respiratory symptoms. In the intervention group, there was a 40% relative increase in respiratory consultations. There was no significant differences found in time to consultation, total consultation rates or measures of psychological harms. Results of this study indicate that a behavioural intervention has a specific effect on help-seeking for respiratory symptoms in patients at higher risk of lung cancer, and plays an important role in primary care. Read the full text