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

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.