Secondary cancer prevention in the elderly

Abstract

Cancer incidence rises as the population ages. Fifty percent of all cancer diagnoses and 60% of all cancer deaths in the United States occur in people older than 65 years of age. Because the elderly are underrepresented in cancer screening activities, the identification of factors that encourage or discourage them to engage in secondary cancer prevention activities is a health care priority. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health perception (measured by Ware's HPQ) and participation in cancer screening programs (measured by PCSQ) in 323 elderly New Yorkers from a variety of backgrounds. A statistically significant (p < 0.001) moderate positive correlation between both variables (r = 0.51) was found by using the Pearson's Product Moment Correlation. The researcher's hypothesis, that there is a relationship between both variables, was supported. The results indicate that in addition to health perception, demographic factors (measured by DDQ), including education, economic status, ethnic group, and gender, are predictors of participation in cancer screening.