Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the western world.  Identification of early stage disease is associated with improved outcome.

A symptom questionnaire may aid diagnosis.  Such a questionnaire has been developed based on patients’ descriptions of symptoms, rather than medical terminology.  Funding from the National School of Primary Care Research will enable us refine this questionnaire.  Working with colleagues in Southampton and Bristol Universities, we will recruit 1200 patients aged over 40 who have been referred to chest X-Ray centres in the West Midlands and Southampton.

A sample of participants will be selected for interview.  Interviews will be used to investigate patients’ interpretation of the questionnaire items and reasons for missing data.

For further information, please contact George Dowswell or Sue Wilson