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Background Malignant central airways obstruction (CAO) is present in ~10% of patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer and is a medical emergency. Lung cancer patients with CAO have poorer outcomes than those without. Despite this, the optimal management of CAO is poorly defined and research in this patient population is scarce. Therefore we engaged with CAO patients and people being screened for lung cancer to explore their willingness to participate in clinical trials.Methods Telephone interviews were conducted in patients and carers with lived experience of CAO (N=4) and participants being screened for lung cancer (N=5). Themes covered among patient with CAO and their carers were their lived experience of CAO; the impact of disease on carers; willingness to participate in randomised controlled studies where treatment may not be received; and key outcomes that should be studied.Results The main symptom described by CAO patients was breathlessness and associated fear (‘suffocating’, ‘couldn’t breath at all’, ‘never experienced such fear’, ‘thought was going to die’). Patients thought clinical trials were vital and essential, and were willing to participate, Key trial outcomes identified were improved a cough and breathlessness. Barriers to participation included additional blood tests and the fear of the unknown. Interviewees voiced concerns over being judged for not wanting to partake.Carers reflected on the overnight transition from ‘being a partner to a carer’, and the ‘helplessness’. A common theme was the importance of communications throughout, and the positive impact this had despite the gravity of the situation.Conclusions We found CAO patients were willing to be involved in study design and participate in clinical trials. Overcoming identified barriers could improve uptake in future trials.