Call for volunteers for quit smoking study with benefits

Queenslanders who want to give up smoking can access free nicotine replacement therapies and potentially life-saving lung cancer screening by participating in a new study.

Associate Professor Henry Marshall from The University of Queensland’s Thoracic Research Centre said the trial is open to smokers aged between 50 and 80 who want to quit and register with Quitline.

“Research from the United States shows that if you combine smoking cessation and screening, your risk of dying from lung cancer can be reduced by 38%,” Dr Marshall said.

“A CT scan can pick up small, curable lung cancers that are otherwise undetected because they’re not causing any symptoms.

“It only takes a few minutes and does not require any needles.

“Lung cancer grows silently and secretly, and generally only causes symptoms in an advanced stage, when a cure is difficult so a CT scan finding the cancer earlier gives people the chance for effective treatment.”

Queenslanders who phone  Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT)  or self-refer through Quit HQ (initiatives.qld.gov.au)  can join the study to access free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, as well as a free CT scan of their lungs if eligible.

Dr Marshall, who is a lung specialist at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, said the study is a precursor to the roll out of a National Lung Cancer Screening Program.

“We want to make sure lung cancer screening reaches the target population and is integrated in the best possible way with support to help people quit smoking and that’s what this study is about,” he said.

“The trial is called Max Up because we aim to maximise uptake of screening and maximise people’s chances of quitting to reap the health benefits of a smoke-free life – it’s a double health benefit.”

Dr Marshall said lung cancer is one of more than 40 diseases and conditions that smoking is known to cause, so quitting has very broad health benefits.

“We know that quitting smoking can take time, effort, and sometimes multiple attempts,” he said.

“But if you can quit smoking, you get a huge benefit back in terms of life expectancy and quality.

“We've got the door open ready for people to keep coming back, engaging with Quitline’s programs and counsellors and keep getting free nicotine replacement therapy.”

The Max Up trial is supported by the Medical Research Future Fund, The University of Queensland, Queensland Health, Cancer Council Australia, and Lung Foundation Australia.