Awareness of Lung Cancer Signs and Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Screening in Jordan: Cross-Sectional Study

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BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Global studies have highlighted the importance of awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms, as it influences health care seeking, diagnosis timing, and treatment outcomes. Despite the high prevalence of both lung cancer and smoking in Jordan, no studies have assessed lung cancer awareness among the Jordanian population. This study is the first in Jordan to reveal the levels of awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms, risk factors, and screening and to identify factors associated with the awareness level. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the awareness of lung cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, and screening in the Jordanian population and the factors determining the levels of awareness. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across all 12 governorates of Jordan, including 498 adult participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and awareness about lung cancer signs, symptoms, risk factors, and screening. Items were derived from the Lung Cancer Awareness Measure Toolkit, version 2.1, 2011. Awareness scores for lung cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, and overall lung cancer awareness were calculated. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify significant predictors of awareness scores. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of lung cancer screening awareness. RESULTS: The mean lung cancer signs and symptoms awareness score was 5.4 (SD 4.9) out of 14, while the mean risk factor awareness score was 33.0 (SD 5.6) out of 45. The most recognized symptoms were coughing up blood (n=297, 59.6%) and pain upon breathing (n=237, 47.6%), while cigarette smoking (n=403, 80.9%) and exposure to air pollution (n=339, 68.1%) were the most recognized risk factors. Only 41.6% (n=207) of the participants had heard of lung cancer screening, while 79.3% (n=395) believed that screening improves survival. Being a smoker was predictive of lower awareness of lung cancer signs, symptoms, and risk factors, while a higher educational level and having a friend or relative previously diagnosed with lung cancer were associated with higher levels of awareness. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a low level of awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms, risk factors, and screening in the Jordanian population. Further studies are needed to identify effective strategies for improving awareness, especially among high-risk populations.