| Quality of life and informed decision making are evaluated in the Dutch randomised trial for lung cancer screening in high risk subjects (NELSON study). Lung cancer screening itself can increase the level of distress in participants, because of the test or waiting for the test result. Moreover, when a result of screening is indeterminate this could increase distress/anxiety. Therefore, we measure to what extent the screening process influences quality of life. We study quality of life (HRQoL) in a longitudinal design. A cohort of 1466 participants to the NELSON study was invited to participate in the HRQoL study. We measure e.g. SF-12, EQ-5D, PCQ, STAI-6, IES and risk perception. Additional to the HRQoL study we evaluate if people who receive an invitation make an informed decision to participate in the lung cancer screening or not. In the operationalisation of informed decision making we followed Marteau. An informed decision to participate or not is based on adequate decision-relevant knowledge and a behaviour that is consistent with attitude. We also examine if there are differences in risk perception, prevention behaviour, sickness in people who attend screening and who do not. |
