RecruitingInterventional

Increasing informed participation in lung cancer screening using pathway navigation

This study, called IMPALA, is trying to find out if a special phone call service can help more people attend their lung cancer screening appointments. Lung cancer screening is really important because it can find cancer early, when it's easier to treat. This study focuses on people aged 55 to 74 who smoke or used to smoke and have missed a screening appointment. A trained person will call participants to discuss the screening, answer questions, and help overcome any roadblocks they might have. The aim is to make sure more people get screened, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes, especially for those who might find it harder to attend regularly.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

North Bristol NHS Trust

Enrolment target

2,400

Start

19 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

18 Jan 2027

Lung cancer screening

What is this study about?

Lung cancer is a serious illness, and finding it early can make a big difference in treatment and recovery. In the UK, there's a national programme that offers lung cancer screening to people aged 55-74 who have smoked. This screening usually involves a telephone chat to see if you're at high risk, followed by a special type of X-ray called a CT scan if needed. However, quite a few people miss these appointments, especially those from certain communities or those who face extra challenges.

This study, named IMPALA, is looking at a new way to help people attend their screening. It's called 'pathway navigation'. This involves a trained person having a friendly phone conversation with you. They'll talk about the screening, explain why it's important, listen to any worries you might have, and help you find ways around them. The main goal is to see if this special call encourages more people to go to their CT scan appointments, both the first one and follow-up scans.

Researchers will also be checking if this approach leads to more lung cancers being found earlier. They want to understand how easy it is for busy NHS services to offer this kind of support. Ultimately, by helping more people attend screening, the study hopes to improve lung cancer detection and survival rates for everyone, making sure the screening programme works as well as it can.

Key takeaways

This study aims to improve attendance at lung cancer screening appointments.
It uses a phone call support service called 'pathway navigation'.
It's for people aged 55-74 who have missed a screening appointment.
The goal is to find lung cancer earlier and save lives.
Participation involves a phone call, with an option for an interview.
The study helps improve future NHS lung cancer screening services.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for people who are already eligible for the NHS England lung cancer screening programme. This generally means you are between 55 and 74 years old and have smoked at some point in your life. You also need to have been invited to a lung cancer screening appointment (either the first appointment or a follow-up CT scan) but unfortunately, you didn't attend.

You also need to have agreed for your health information to be used for research purposes when you first had your telephone risk assessment for the lung cancer screening programme. If you've previously said you don't want your NHS records used for research, or if you've already told the lung cancer screening service you don't want to take part, then this study might not be suitable for you. Also, if your non-attendance was because you moved away or are no longer eligible for the screening, you won't be included.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 55 and 74 years old?
Were you invited to an NHS lung cancer screening appointment (initial or follow-up CT scan)?
Did you miss that scheduled lung cancer screening appointment?
Did you previously agree for your health data to be used for research by the NHS screening service?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you missed an initial lung cancer screening appointment or a follow-up CT scan, you might be invited to take part in this study. If you agree to participate, within 1 to 4 weeks, a trained 'navigator' will call you. During this call, the navigator will first ask for your formal agreement to be part of the study.

If you agree, they will then talk to you about lung cancer screening. This will include explaining its benefits and any potential drawbacks, discussing any personal reasons that might have made it difficult for you to attend your last appointment, and helping you find solutions to those issues. If you decide you'd like to go ahead with screening, the navigator will help you book a new CT scan appointment. The study doesn't involve any medication or extra tests beyond what the standard lung cancer screening programme offers. The main part of your participation would be this phone call and potentially attending the re-booked CT scan. Some participants might also be asked if they'd like to take part in a short interview about their experiences, but this is optional.

Potential risks and benefits

If you are part of the group that receives a phone call from the navigator, you might find the conversation helpful, reassuring, and empowering. It can help you understand lung cancer screening better and make an informed choice. Even if you don't receive the call, by simply being part of the study, you're helping to improve how the lung cancer screening service works for everyone in the future, which could lead to more early diagnoses and save lives. There are very few risks involved because the study mainly involves a phone call. However, for some, discussing health topics might be a bit emotional. If you're invited to an optional interview and find it upsetting, the researcher will be trained to help and can offer information about support services. You are free to stop your participation at any time, and this will not affect your standard NHS care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

North Bristol NHS Trust
City only
Bristol, England

Common questions

What is 'lung cancer screening'?

It's a way to check for lung cancer early, often before symptoms appear, using a special low-dose CT scan for people at higher risk.

What is 'pathway navigation'?

It's a phone call service where a trained person talks to you about lung cancer screening, answers your questions, and helps you overcome any difficulties in attending appointments.

Who is funding this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.

How long will the study last?

The study is expected to run from November 2024 to July 2028.

What if I feel uncomfortable talking about lung health?

The navigator is trained to support you, and you can end the call at any time. There's no pressure to continue if you're uncomfortable.

How to find out more

Jodie Chalmers

jodie.chalmers@nbt.nhs.uk +44 (0)1174147912 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.