Evaluation of an online intervention to encourage early help-seeking for lung cancer symptoms

Evaluation of a web-based intervention to encourage early help-seeking in people with symptoms indicative of lung cancer: a randomised controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN70042662

Enrollment

236

Registered

2017-05-22

Start date

2017-06-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2019-08-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Lung cancer Cancer Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung

Interventions

The intervention consists of information about lung cancer symptoms, risk factors and a recommendation of when medical advice should be sought. The information is tailored to individual users (based o

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Over the age of 18 2. Lives in the UK 3. Experiencing any of the following symptoms: 3.1. A cough (whether dry and tickly or with phlegm) 3.2. A long-standing cough that changes or gets worse 3.3. Feeling out of breath 3.4. Discomfort in the chest, shoulder or back 3.5. Coughing up phlegm with a blood in it (even if just a few specks)/spitting blood 3.6. Changes in your voice 3.7. Unexplained weight loss or unexplained loss of appetite 3.8. Swelling of face and neck 3.9. Persistent/recurring chest infection 3.10. Tiredness or lack of energy 3.11. Changes in the appearance of fingers or fingernails (such as a softening of the nailbed, stronger than normal curving of the fingernails, or thickening of the fingertips so that the shape looks like an upside down spoon)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Individuals under the age of 18 2. Individuals who do not live in the UK 3. Individuals who are not experiencing any relevant symptoms

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Intention to seek medical help, measured on an 11-point scale at baseline pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment, and, if applicable, at 3 week follow-up. Intention will not be measured again at follow-up if participants report already having sought help at this point 2. Reported help-seeking, measured by asking participants whether they have discussed their symptoms with a health professional (yes/no) at 3-week follow-up	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Intention to seek medical help, measured on an 11-point scale at baseline pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment, and, if applicable, at 3 week follow-up. Intention will not be measured again at follow-up if participants report already having sought help at this point 2. Reported help-seeking, measured by asking participants whether they have discussed their symptoms with a health professional (yes/no) at 3-week follow-up

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Beliefs and attitudes towards help-seeking, measured using Theory of Planned Behaviour questionnaire at baseline, post-treatment 2. Cancer risk perception, measured using a single item with a 7-point scale at baseline, post-treatment	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactJulia Mueller

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026