Abstract
BackgroundProviding lifestyle advice at cancer screening may help reduce the cancer burden attributable to health-related behaviour. We examined determinants of willingness to receive advice about several behavioural cancer risk factors.MethodsA population-based sample of English adults eligible for cancer screening (n = 1221) completed items on willingness to receive lifestyle advice. Sociodemographic, psychological (risk perceptions, cancer risk factor awareness) and behavioural factors were used to predict interest in advice about diet, weight, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption.ResultsTwo thirds (62–67%) reported interest in advice about diet, weight, and physical activity; 17% were willing to receive advice about smoking, and 32% about alcohol consumption. Willingness to receive advice was higher in those not adhering to guidelines for weight, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption (all p < 0.01). Non-White ethnicity was associated with interest in advice about diet, physical activity and smoking (all p < 0.01). Willingness to receive advice about diet, weight, physical activity and alcohol consumption increased with greater recognition of cancer risk factors (all p < 0.01).ConclusionsWillingness to receive lifestyle advice at cancer screening was high, suggesting this context may provide an opportunity to support behaviour change. Increasing awareness of cancer risk factors may facilitate interest in lifestyle advice.
Highlights
It is estimated that exposure to lifestyle and environmental risk factors, such as smoking, dietary factors and overweight account for 43% of cancers.[1]
We have previously shown that three quarters of people intending to attend English breast, cervical and bowel screening programmes would be in favour of receiving lifestyle advice around the time of cancer screening, even if they received an abnormal result (CS, CV, SGS, JW & RJB; under review)
Comparative cancer risk perceptions were not strongly associated with interest in any of the topics of lifestyle advice. This cross-sectional population-based survey of English adults found that people intending to participate in cancer screening are willing to receive advice about a range of behavioural cancer risk factors during the screening process
Summary
It is estimated that exposure to lifestyle and environmental risk factors, such as smoking, dietary factors and overweight account for 43% of cancers.[1]. The cancer screening context could provide ‘teachable moments’ for the delivery of behaviour change advice and interventions.[6]. Sociodemographic, psychological (risk perceptions, cancer risk factor awareness) and behavioural factors were used to predict interest in advice about diet, weight, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption. Willingness to receive advice was higher in those not adhering to guidelines for weight, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption (all p < 0.01). Willingness to receive advice about diet, weight, physical activity and alcohol consumption increased with greater recognition of cancer risk factors (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Willingness to receive lifestyle advice at cancer screening was high, suggesting this context may provide an opportunity to support behaviour change. Increasing awareness of cancer risk factors may facilitate interest in lifestyle advice
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