Table 1 Characteristics of the included studies

Al-Naggar, R. A. and 2013 [31]

Malaysia

To determine the lung cancer knowledge among male secondary school teachers

A cross-sectional study

150 male secondary school teachers

35.6 ± 6.5 (SD)

N/A

N/A

Low

Good

Majority were aware that the main risk factors for lung cancer was cigarette and second-hand smoking

The main preventive measures were smoking cessation, avoiding second-hand smoking and unnecessary chest x-ray

Chawla, Rachit. et al and 2010 [32]

Nepal

To evaluate the awareness and assessment of risk factors for lung cancer

A cross- sectional study

240 subjects

33.4 ± SD 11.4 years

57.5%

42.5%

Varied significantly by socio-demographic factors

N/A

100% of males and 88% of females were aware that smoking was the primary risk factor for lung cancer

Knowledge of smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer varied by socio-demographic factors

Desalu, O. O. and 2016 [33]

Nigeria

To determine the awareness of signs and risk factors for lung cancer and the anticipated delay before seeking medical care

A cross- sectional study

1125 adults

33 ± 10 years

51.4%

57.5%

Low

Low

More than half of the participants recognized that smoking, second-hand smoking and air pollution were risk factors for lung cancer

Awareness about lung cancer signs and risk factors were not satisfactory

Loh, Jia Fui and 2018 [36]

Malaysia

To assess the knowledge of lung cancer among Malaysians and their willingness to undergo lung cancer screening

A cross- sectional study

385 responses

31.8 ± 12.8 years

44.7%

55.3%

Low

Low

Tobacco related factors and air pollution were the most known risk factors for lung cancer

There was a low awareness of the non-specific warning signs of lung cancer and majority of the participants were willing to undergo lung cancer screening

Naskar, Subrata and 2017 [34]

West Bengal

To determine the level of lung cancer knowledge & awareness among secondary school teachers in West Bengal

A cross- sectional study

50 secondary school teachers

30–39 years

56.0%

44.0%

Moderate

Very low

Majority of the study participants mentioned that smoking was the most common cause of lung cancer

Gender factor had an impact on knowledge & level of awareness regarding lung cancer

Shankar, Abhishek and 2016 [35]

India

To measure the level of lung cancer awareness among women and the impact of awareness programs in adopting safer practices

Pre-test and Post-test design

182 teachers

42.4 years (range: 28–59 years)

N/A

N/A

Low

Low

The teachers

indicated that smoking, second-hand smoke, family history and exposure to asbestos

were some of the most correct risk factors for lung cancer

There was a substantial increase in the level of lung cancer knowledge and the adoption of safe practices after awareness of lung cancer resulted to a significant change in smoking and alcohol habits

Zainuddin, Norafiza and 2018 [37]

Malaysia

To evaluate the knowledge of lung cancer and perception on its screening among IIUM Kuantan students

A cross- sectional study

186 students

21 to 29 years

N/A

N/A

Good

Good

Most of IIUM Kuantan students answered correctly for common lung cancer risk factors such as smoking, air pollution, occupational exposure and passive smoking

Good knowledge of lung cancer resulted in positive perception of lung cancer screening

Li, Huiqin and 2016 [21]

China

N/A

Literature review

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

palliative care was the recommended standard of care for patients with advanced NSCLC

Bülbül, Y and 2017 [20]

Turkey

To investigate the lung cancer symptoms and evaluate the approaches to alleviate these symptoms.

Prospective study

1245 lung cancer patients

61.8 ± 9.4 years

88.7%

11.3%

N/A

N/A

N/A

Symptoms are more severe in patients at the advanced stage of lung cancer, and palliative care was insufficient for most patients