Perceived Synergistic Risk for Lung Cancer After Environmental Report-Back Study on Home Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Radon

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the short-term impact of a personalized environmental report-back intervention to reduce home exposure to tobacco smoke and radon on perception of synergistic risk for lung cancer. Radon-induced lung cancer is more common among those exposed to tobacco smoke.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Primary care clinics and a pharmacy waiting area at a University Medical Center in the Southeastern United States and community events.

Participants: Five hundred sixty adult homeowners and renters (3-month follow-up, n = 334).

Intervention: Personalized environmental report back.

Measures: Single-item synergistic risk perception measure using 5-point Likert-type scale.

Analysis: Change in synergistic risk from baseline to 3 months was evaluated using a generalized estimating equation model containing main effects of treatment group and time. Covariates in the model included age, gender, education, and home smoking status.

Results: For treatment and control groups combined, there was a significant increase in perception of synergistic risk from baseline to 3 months, but the study groups did not differ. There was no association between perceived synergistic risk and whether or not there were smokers at home.

Conclusion: Learning about combined risks for lung cancer, with or without dual home screening for secondhand smoke and radon and environmental report-back, may enhance perceived risk for combined environmental exposures. Evaluation of perceived synergistic risk with a single item is a study limitation.

Keywords: environment; passive smoking; radon; secondary prevention.