Table 2.
Responses to CT scan questions from 2011 national survey by smoking status, weighted data.
| Now I’m going to ask you a few items about a new test used to detect lung cancers. A CT scan is similar to an x-ray, except that for this test you lie on a table that slides into a tunnel that takes a picture of the lungs. If something abnormal is found, it usually results in follow-up tests or surgery. (Asked among 334 current and former smokers) | Weighted Current smoker (n=130) | Weighted Former smoker (n=204) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | |||
| 1. Have you ever had this test to detect lung cancer? (% Yes) | 14.6 | 12.7 | ||
| 1a. Have you had it in the past 12 months? (% Yes) | 3.8 | 2.5 | ||
| 2. Would you have this test if it were recommended by your doctor? (%Yes) | 78.5 | 81.4 | ||
| 3. I am going to read you a list of reasons why some people may decide NOT to get a CT scan for lung cancer. Which of the following reasons would you say is important to you for NOT getting this test? (Asked among 14 current and former smokers who answered ‘No’ to Q.2) | N=7 | N=7 | ||
| N | % | N | % | |
| You don’t have insurance and the test would be too expensive | 2 | 33.3 | 2 | 25.0 |
| You are afraid to find out whether you have lung cancer | 2 | 33.3 | 1 | 12.5 |
| You are worried that your health insurance would not cover the cost | 1 | 16.7 | 3 | 42.9 |
| It is unlikely that you have lung cancer | 1 | 14.3 | 5 | 71.4 |
| You don’t know where to have the test done | 1 | 14.3 | 1 | 12.5 |
| You are worried about the additional tests that would be necessary if this scan found something | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 14.3 |
| No particular reason | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Some other reason (Specify): | 2 | 33.3 | 3 | 37.5 |
| Claustrophobia/tight spaces | ||||
| Exposure to radiation | ||||
| Belief in homeopathic medicine/religious beliefs | ||||
| 4. I am going to read you a list of reasons why some people may decide to get a CT scan for lung cancer. Which of the following reasons would you say is important to you for getting this test? (Asked among 267 current and former smokers who answered ‘Yes’ to Q.2) | n=102 | 1=166 | ||
| N | % | N | % | |
| You want to be able to diagnose lung cancer as early as possible | 101 | 99.0 | 156 | 94.0 |
| You want to follow your doctor’s recommendations | 94 | 93.1 | 163 | 98.8 |
| You feel you are at risk for lung cancer | 73 | 71.6 | 67 | 40.6 |
| You are sick or have had medical problems | 65 | 63.7 | 93 | 56.4 |
| Some other reason (Specify): | 24 | 23.5 | 52 | 31.5 |
| Early Detection | ||||
| Experienced lung cancer in family or friend | ||||
| For children/family | ||||
| Health problems/symptoms | ||||
| Past exposure | ||||