Perceived risk and interest in screening for lung cancer among current and former smokers.

Factors associated with perceived risk, interest in screening information, and interest in being screened for lung cancer were examined among current and recent former smokers. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 585 current and former smokers who participated in 12-month follow-up telephone interviews as part of a population-based cessation intervention trial. Current smokers who were thinking about or preparing to quit were more likely to perceive risk of lung cancer and be interested in lung cancer screening information than those who were not motivated to quit or who were in the process of actively quitting or maintaining abstinence. Smokers who participate in lung cancer screening may be motivated to participate in a broad range of tobacco dependence treatment options. Copyright 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.