SCAPAS-LungCancer-improving supportive care for patients surgically treated for non-small cell lung cancer: protocol for a prospective, longitudinal, observational and exploratory multicentre study

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Despite global advances in lung cancer treatment, challenges persist in symptom management and supportive care, particularly as the incidence of early-stage diagnoses rises. Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) face symptom burdens compounded by physical, psychological and social factors, alongside the concealment of early-stage symptoms. Research on symptom management in patients with NSCLC remains limited, with a lack of studies exploring patient experiences and clinical management strategies. Moreover, attention to late effects highlights the need for personalised care interventions to address long-term outcomes. The SCAPAS-LungCancer study aims to bridge these gaps by enhancing our understanding of NSCLC symptomatology, late effects and quality of life. The study seeks to identify patients with multiple symptoms and late effects, offering insights for future personalised care interventions to improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study employs a multiple-methods approach encompassing qualitative and quantitative investigations to comprehensively explore symptomatology, patient experiences and treatment outcomes in patients with NSCLC undergoing surgical treatment. A prospective, longitudinal, observational and exploratory design is adopted. A longitudinal qualitative study, including individual interviews and ethnographic fieldwork, will be conducted to explore patients' experiences and interactions with clinicians on symptoms and late effects. Additionally, consecutive newly diagnosed patients with NSCLC scheduled for surgery will be recruited in a prospective questionnaire study using patient-reported outcomes. Eligible patients will complete self-reported measures assessing physical and psychosocial symptom burden and late effects, quality of life, social support and unmet needs at baseline and multiple follow-up points post-surgery over a 2-year period. Socio-demographic and medical characteristics are also collected.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (journal no: 2022-737) and conducted in accordance with Danish Ethics Research Committee guidelines and the Helsinki II Declaration. Participants will provide written informed consent. The results will be reported in peer-reviewed journals.