Behavioral Risk Factors For Cancer Research Articles

The Role of Overweight and Obesity in Perceived Risk Factors for Cancer: Implications for Education

Epidemiological evidence indicates that obesity plays an important role in cancer incidence. A telephone survey of 1,433 adults, aged 18+ years who reported their knowledge and beliefs regarding behavioral risk factors for cancer, was conducted. Most respondents believed that people can take steps to reduce cancer risk; however, many, particularly obese respondents, did not rate being overweight as a very important risk factor. A dedicated public education campaign focused on overweight and cancer is needed to address the significant gap in knowledge about the role of weight control in preventing cancer, particularly among those most afflicted.

Prevalence and correlates of multiple cancer risk behaviors in an Australian population-based survey: results from the Queensland Cancer Risk Study

To report on the prevalence, clustering, and correlates of behavioral risk factors for cancer in the Queensland, Australia, population. The Queensland Cancer Risk Study was a population-based survey of 9419 Queensland residents aged 20-75 years. Information was collected through anonymous computer-assisted telephone interviews between February and November 2004. Prevalence of tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, sun exposure, and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, weighted by age, gender, and geographic region. The majority of respondents reported between two and four cancer risk behaviors (79.4%). Men, those younger than 59 years and those with lower educational attainment had more than twofold increased odds of reporting multiple cancer risk factors. Marital status and geographic region were moderately associated with cancer risk. Smoking, high levels of alcohol consumption, and sun exposure were associated with up to twofold increased odds of engaging in multiple additional risk factors. This study identified key subgroups of the Queensland population with increased odds of engaging in multiple risk behaviors for cancer, particularly younger men and people with lower educational attainment. Individual behavioral risk factors can also exert a significant impact on the overall risk profile, and this may be a useful consideration for public health campaigns that target key health behaviors.

Artificial and natural ultraviolet radiation exposure: beliefs and behaviour of 7200 French adults

Despite the increasing use of indoor tanning facilities, little is known regarding the behaviour of adults with respect to artificial and natural ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and the relationship between the two forms of exposure. To describe the beliefs and behaviour of French middle-aged volunteers regarding artificial and natural UV exposure. Cross-sectional study of a French national cohort using a self-completed questionnaire. Participants were identified as 'indoor UV tanners' (n= 1076) and as 'non-users' (n= 6124). Predictor factors associated with indoor tanning were gender, age, smoking, phototype, region of residence, sun exposure during hobbies, voluntary sun exposure in particular during the hottest hours of the day, nudism practice, facial sunscreen habits, sunglass use, importance for lying in the sun and the claim 'ever heard of melanoma'. The quality of information may be limited by the data collection method. Whereas indoor tanning should be discouraged, it seems that indoor tanners are also regular sunbathers unconcerned about the risk of photoageing and skin cancer occurrence. Moreover, indoor tanners seem to have more behavioural risk factors for cancer, such as smoking.

Reducing the cancer burden of lifestyle factors: opportunities and challenges of the Internet.

This paper focuses on the Internet as a tool for enhancing behavior and lifestyle changes to reduce the burden of cancer at a population level. The premise of this paper is that the Internet can and should be leveraged to bridge the chasm between basic science, clinical trials, and public health. Our focus is specifically on the opportunity to disseminate effective behavioral science interventions via the Internet in order to decrease the prevalence of behavioral risk factors for cancer. The examples herein are primarily drawn from tobacco use to illustrate issues that can be applied more generally to other behavioral risk factors for cancer. Four areas will be addressed: (1) the scientific basis and rationale for delivering lifestyle behavior change interventions via the Internet; (2) the need to determine the quality of Internet interventions; (3) methodological considerations in conducting evaluations of Internet interventions; and (4) recommendations for a transdisciplinary approach to Internet intervention development and evaluation.

Cancer‐related beliefs and behaviours in Australia

A sample of 3527 adults aged 16 years and over was interviewed in their homes to obtain Australian data on selected behavioural risk factors for cancer. Four fifths of those interviewed nominated at least one step that individuals may take to reduce their risk of cancer, while 14 per cent believed there were no preventive measures available. Most salient among the preventive steps mentioned were 'not smoking' (58 per cent), dietary measures (30 per cent) and protection of the skin against the sun (13 per cent). Various psychological factors were mentioned by 7 per cent. Beliefs about dietary factors associated with cancer and the direction of the relationship tended to be accurate but there appeared to be some confusion with heart disease dietary risk factors. One third of respondents had at some time noticed a skin sign they thought might be cancer, and this was related (as expected) to latitude of residence. Nearly half had at some time systematically checked their skin for lesions, and 13 per cent said they had done this at least six times in the preceding year. Overall, 78 per cent of women respondents said they had been screened for cervical cancer, and 51 per cent said this had taken place in the past two years. Twelve per cent reported having had a mammogram, 7 per cent that were apparently diagnostic and 5 per cent that were reported to be routine screening mammograms. Overall, 78 per cent said they had done systematic breast self-examination at least once, including 41 per cent who said they had done breast self-examination in the past month and 23 per cent who reported having done it monthly over the previous year.