Invitation methods for Indigenous New Zealand Māori in lung cancer screening: Protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

PLoS One. 2023 Aug 1;18(8):e0281420. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281420. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Lung cancer screening can significantly reduce mortality from lung cancer. Further evidence about how to optimize lung cancer screening for specific populations, including Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ)'s Indigenous Māori (who experience disproportionately higher rates of lung cancer), is needed to ensure it is equitable. This community-based, pragmatic cluster randomized trial aims to determine whether a lung cancer screening invitation from a patient's primary care physician, compared to from a centralized screening service, will optimize screening uptake for Māori. Participating primary care practices (clinics) in Auckland, Aotearoa NZ will be randomized to either the primary care-led or centralized service for delivery of the screening invitation. Clinic patients who meet the following criteria will be eligible: Māori; aged 55-74 years; enrolled in participating clinics in the region; ever-smokers; and have at least a 2% risk of developing lung cancer within six years (determined using the PLCOM2012 risk prediction model). Eligible patients who respond positively to the invitation will undertake shared decision-making with a nurse about undergoing a low dose CT scan (LDCT) and an assessment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The primary outcomes are: 1) the proportion of eligible population who complete a risk assessment and 2) the proportion of people eligible for a CT scan who complete the CT scan. Secondary outcomes include evaluating the contextual factors needed to inform the screening process, such as including assessment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We will also use the RE-AIM framework to evaluate specific implementation factors. This study is a world-first, Indigenous-led lung cancer screening trial for Māori participants. The study will provide policy-relevant information on a key policy parameter, invitation method. In addition, the trial includes a nested analysis of COPD in the screened Indigenous population, and it provides baseline (T0 screen round) data using RE-AIM implementation outcomes.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial Protocol
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Maori People
  • New Zealand
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Grants and funding

The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases and the Health Research Council of New Zealand is providing funding for the clinical study outlined in this protocol (HRC 20/1315 Crengle). Investigators SC, KB, KP, PS, MM, CL, DM, RJ, KF, HM, MT and NR are named on this grant. The additional COPD work is covered by a further HRC Grant (HRC 21/524 Crengle). Investigators SC, KB, KP, PS, CL, RY, RS, NW, SH, RJ and RB are named on this grant.