RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The role of chronic conditions in influencing symptom attribution and anticipated help-seeking for potential lung cancer symptoms: a vignette-based study JF BJGP Open JO BJGP Open FD Royal College of General Practitioners SP bjgpopen20X101086 DO 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101086 VO 4 IS 4 A1 Kaushal, Aradhna A1 Waller, Jo A1 von Wagner, Christian A1 Kummer, Sonja A1 Whitaker, Katriina A1 Puri, Aishwarya A1 Lyratzopoulos, Georgios A1 Renzi, Cristina YR 2020 UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/4/4/bjgpopen20X101086.abstract AB Background Very little is known about the influence of chronic conditions on symptom attribution and help-seeking for potential cancer symptoms.Aim To determine if symptom attribution and anticipated help-seeking for potential lung cancer symptoms is influenced by pre-existing respiratory conditions (often referred to as comorbidity), such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Design & setting A total of 2143 adults (1081 with and 1062 without a respiratory condition) took part in an online vignette survey.Method The vignette described potential lung cancer symptoms (persistent cough and breathlessness) after which questions were asked on symptom attribution and anticipated help-seeking.Results Attribution of symptoms to cancer was similar in participants with and without respiratory conditions (21.5% and 22.1%, respectively). Participants with respiratory conditions, compared with those without, were more likely to attribute the new or changing cough and breathlessness to asthma or COPD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.02 to 4.39). Overall, 56.5% of participants reported intention to seek help from a GP within 3 weeks if experiencing the potential lung cancer symptoms. Having a respiratory condition increased the odds of prompt help-seeking (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.49). Regular healthcare appointments were associated with higher odds of anticipated help-seeking.Conclusion Only one in five participants identified persistent cough and breathlessness as potential cancer symptoms, and half said they would promptly seek help from a GP, indicating scope for promoting help-seeking for new or changing symptoms. Chronic respiratory conditions did not appear to interfere with anticipated help-seeking, which might be explained by regular appointments to manage chronic conditions.