Setting: Ilorin metropolis in the middle-belt region of Nigeria.
Objectives: To determine the awareness about warning signs and risk factors for lung cancer and the anticipated delay before seeking medical care in the middle-belt population of Nigeria.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study performed among 1125 adults. Lung cancer awareness measure (Lung CAM) was administered face to face by trained interviewers.
Results: The respondents' Lung CAM score was low for warning signs and risk factors for lung cancer. Apart from tobacco smoking (69.9%) and air pollution (56.4%), other risk factors were poorly recognised by respondents. Higher education and income and having a relative or friends who had previously had lung cancer were significantly associated with awareness about warning signs and risk factors. The majority (66.8%) would seek help before 2 weeks if they noticed a warning sign. Anticipated delay was associated with non-recognition of any warning sign (OR 3.09, 95%CI 2.26-4.22), lower education (OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.40-2.57), lower income (OR 1.86, 95%CI 1.26-2.75) and males (OR 1.50, 95%CI 1.15-1.97).
Conclusion: The awareness of lung cancer warning signs and risk factors are not satisfactory in Nigeria. There is a need to increase awareness about the condition to prevent delays in seeking medical help.