LUNGevity: Lung Cancer Stigma Community Based Participatory Research

Overview

Lung cancer survival rates are low for intersectional underserved groups. Lung cancer stigma and intersectional stigma related to minoritized group status leads to increased morbidity and mortality and health disparities. Mindfulness interventions have been shown to decrease stigma and the negative impacts of stigma, however, these interventions have never been tested to decrease lung cancer stigma specifically. In this study, the investigators will use Community Based Participatory Research framework and MOST methodology to build and optimize a brief virtual mindfulness intervention to decrease lung cancer stigma, through first building a diverse coalition of lung cancer patients on a participatory action council.

Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, with the five year survival rate being 18.6%. Survival rates are even lower for intersectional underserved groups. Stigma about having lung cancer is very common, with 95% of lung cancer patients reporting lung cancer stigma. Stigma leads to higher rates of depressive symptoms, lower disclosure of smoking, lower likelihood of engaging with smoking cessation services, and decreased likelihood of following through on treatment recommendations. Lung cancer stigma and intersectional stigma related to minoritized group status leads to increased morbidity and mortality and health disparities. Mindfulness interventions have been shown to decrease stigma and the negative impacts of stigma, however, these interventions have never been tested to decrease lung cancer stigma specifically. In this study, the investigators propose an innovative Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) methodology to build and optimize a brief virtual mindfulness intervention to decrease lung cancer stigma. Using an innovative approach that combines Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and MOST, the investigators will first build a diverse coalition of lung cancer patients on a participatory action council per CBPR best practice models, with community members as equal stakeholders and part of the research team at every stage of the project. This study aims to: Test mindfulness intervention components for lung cancer stigma in lung cancer patients to improve lung cancer treatment outcomes (i.e., patient-provider communication, willingness to accept referral to tobacco cessation, and quit rates). Assess preliminary efficacy of these interventions on lung cancer stigma among lung cancer patients by race, ethnicity and sexual/gender classification. Explore reach, acceptability and satisfaction of a mindfulness intervention to address lung cancer stigma, with a focus reaching patients in underserved groups (Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ individuals, and low SES) in order to decrease health disparities and extend the five year survival rate.