Knowledge Of Cancer Symptoms Research Articles

Knowledge of cancer symptoms and risk factors: A cross-sectional study from a developing country.

The delayed presentation of cancer patients to healthcare facilities for diagnosis is a pressing issue, as late-stage cancer cases are often more challenging to treat effectively. In low-resource settings, such as those with limited access to healthcare facilities, the impact of inadequate awareness of cancer signs and symptoms can be particularly severe. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate public knowledge of cancer signs and symptoms and risk factors in the context of Jordan. This cross-sectional study was conducted among participants from all settings. Data was obtained from an Arabic version of the cancer awareness measure (CAM), which was answered online. It described demographic data and knowledge of cancer prevalence, age-related risk, signs, symptoms, and risk factors in recall and recognition-type questions. Participants (n = 1998) completed the questionnaire with a Median age of 35 and an interquartile range of 24. About half (n = 1070) thought that cancer is unrelated to age. Most participants identified breast cancer as the most common cancer among women (81%). Awareness of cancer signs/symptoms significantly differed in the level of knowledge in favor of females. The symptom "unexplained weight loss" was most commonly recognized (66.3%) and "persistent difficulty swallowing" the least (42.6%). As for risk factors, "smoking" was the most identified (76.9%) and "eating less than 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day" was the least (19%), and "doing <30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 times a week" as a close second least (19.95%). Females identified "smoking," "passive smoking," "HPV infection," and "having a close relative with cancer" as risk factors significantly more than males. Those with good economic status were more aware that smoking is a cancer risk factor by 1.51 times compared to those with poor economic status. To enhance early diagnosis and presentation in Jordan, there is a need for increased public awareness of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of cancer. One effective strategy to achieve this goal is to conduct targeted public campaigns that cater to different population groups, such as the youth, to improve their understanding and ensure that the message resonates.

Exploring the inequalities of women with learning disabilities deciding to attend and then accessing cervical and breast cancer screening, using the Social Ecological Model

AbstractBackgroundWomen with learning disabilities are less likely to access cervical and breast cancer screening when compared to the general population. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) was used to examine the inequalities faced by women with learning disabilities in accessing cervical and breast cancer screening in England, UK.MethodsThe findings from a qualitative systematic review and a Q methodology study were triangulated. Framework analysis, in line with the SEM, was used to develop an integrated set of findings.FindingsWomen with learning disabilities may lack knowledge of cancer symptoms, and cancer screening, as well as being scared about the process and getting the results. The attitudes of family and paid carers towards screening may influence women with learning disabilities' decisions as to whether screening is seen as favourable; support and training may ensure unbiased perspectives. Barriers were also associated with how cancer screening programmes are designed, such as postal invitations which assumes an ability to read. In addition, screening staff need to be aware of the general needs of people with learning disabilities, such as the benefits of easy‐to‐read documents. Lastly, multidisciplinary working is required so reasonable adjustments can be embedded into cancer screening pathways.ConclusionThis article highlights multiple methods to reduce the inequalities faced by women with learning disabilities, which can be achieved through reasonable adjustments. Embedding reasonable adjustments can support women with learning disabilities in making an informed decision and accessing screening if they choose to. This may result in women with learning disabilities getting a timely cancer diagnosis.

Awareness of cancer among adolescents: A study of nine focus groups in Aotearoa New Zealand.

One third of cancers are potentially preventable by modifying key risk factors that arise during adolescence. To help inform prevention efforts, we investigated adolescents' understanding of cancer risk factors, symptoms and signs and barriers to help-seeking. Nine focus groups were conducted with purposefully sampled, binary-gendered friendship groups of 12 to 17-year-olds. Interviews were analysed using a qualitative descriptive method based on the topic schedule, transcripts and field notes. Behavioural, genetic and environmental factors were commonly explored as risk factors. Most cancer symptoms identified focused on physical indicators, such as lumps and skin appearance. Facilitators and barriers to good health choices involved both external and internal factors: education, affordability, attitudes and the social environment. Most participants indicated they would talk to trusted friends and family members about health issues, but only when the condition became 'serious'. The most common source of health information was the internet. Adolescents have a good understanding of behavioural risk factors, but poor knowledge of some key cancer symptoms. A support system was recognised to be a substantive factor in dealing with health issues, as were youth-focused health services. Understanding of the preventability of many cancers was not widespread with participants. SO WHAT?: The results emphasise a requirement for appropriate, affordable and accessible youth-focused health services. There is a need for age- and culturally appropriate interventions that improve knowledge of cancer symptoms. Immunisation against the viruses implicated in cervical cancer is one example of a clinical cancer prevention intervention in adolescence.

Cancer awareness in older adults: Results from the Spanish Onco-barometer cross-sectional survey

BackgroundAbout half of all cancers are diagnosed in adults older than 65, making them the age group at highest risk of developing this disease. Nurses from different specialties can support individuals and communities in the prevention and early detection of cancer and should be aware of the common knowledge gaps and perceived barriers among older adults. ObjectivesThe goal of the current research was to investigate personal characteristics, perceived barriers, and beliefs related to cancer awareness in older adults, with a special focus on perceptions about the influence of cancer risk factors, knowledge of cancer symptoms, and anticipated help-seeking. DesignDescriptive cross-sectional study. ParticipantsParticipants were 1213 older adults (≥65 years old) from the representative national Onco-barometer survey conducted in 2020 in Spain. MethodsQuestions on the perceived influence of cancer risk factors, knowledge of cancer symptoms, and the Spanish version of the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer (ABC) questionnaire were administered in computer-assisted telephone interviews. ResultsKnowledge of cancer risk factors and symptoms was strongly related to personal characteristics and was limited among males and older individuals. Respondents from lower socio-economic background recognized fewer cancer symptoms. Having personal or family history of cancer had opposite effects on cancer awareness: It was related to more accurate symptom knowledge but also to lower perceptions about the influence of risk factors and more delayed help-seeking. Anticipated help-seeking times were strongly influenced by perceived barriers to help-seeking and beliefs about cancer. Worry about wasting the doctor's time (48% increase, 95% CI [25%–75%]), about what the doctor might find (21% increase [3%–43%]) and not having enough time to go to the doctor (30% increase [5%–60%]) were related to more delayed help-seeking intentions. In contrast, beliefs that reflected higher perceived seriousness of a potential cancer diagnosis were related to shorter anticipated help-seeking times (19% decrease [5%–33%]). ConclusionsThese results suggest that older adults could benefit from interventions informing them about how to reduce their cancer risk and addressing emotional barriers and beliefs associated with help-seeking delays. Nurses can contribute to educating this vulnerable group and are in a unique position to address some barriers to help-seeking. Study registrationNot registered.

Being sick to a cancer patient: pathways of delay in help seeking and diagnosis of cancer in India.

There is evidence that cancer mortality and morbidity could be reduced when the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage. The paper examines the pathways of delay of cancer diagnosis in an Indian setting. It draws on a qualitative study conducted among cancer survivors and family members of cancer patients in the city of Bengaluru, South India. The results show that a substantial part of the delay occurred at the stage of initial formal help seeking wherein patient and family-led, disease-related and systemic factors together played a major role. Patient-led factors included trivialisation and normalisation of symptoms as part of general fatigue and aging; unrealistic risk perceptions that linked causality of cancer merely to heredity and behavioural risk factors; fear of being diagnosed as cancer patient; gender related reasons including family's gender performance expectation, lower agency of women to seek help and lower prioratisation of women's health in the household and access related issues including financial constraints and unavailability of specialised hospitals nearby. Disease-related factors included the presence of comorbidity, cancer's mimicking of symptoms of other diseases and absence of distinguishable symptoms at the initial stage for certain types of cancers. The practitioner-led and system-led factors such as trivialisation of symptoms by general practitioners, non cancer-specific referrals, and lack of cancer screening facilities accounted for a major part of delay after the formal help seeking. The paper argues that the mere knowledge of cancer symptoms did not always lead to early diagnosis due to the interplay of these factors. The ongoing cancer prevention and control interventions in India need to be informed of these micro level factors while developing strategies to prevent avoidable delays in cancer diagnosis.

Factors influencing symptom appraisal and help-seeking of older adults with possible cancer: a mixed-methods systematic review.

BackgroundThe cancer burden falls predominantly on older (≥65 years) adults. Prompt presentation to primary care with cancer symptoms could result in earlier diagnosis. However, patient symptom appraisal and help-seeking decisions involving cancer symptoms are complex and may be further complicated in older adults.AimTo explore the effect of older age on patients’ appraisal of possible cancer symptoms and their decision to seek help for these symptoms.Design and settingMixed-methods systematic review.MethodMEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, ASSIA, the ISRCTN registry, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence were searched for studies on symptom appraisal and help-seeking decisions for cancer symptoms by adults aged ≥65 years. Studies were analysed using thematic synthesis and according to the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis guidelines.ResultsEighty studies were included with a total of 32 995 participants. Studies suggested a possible association between increasing age and prolonged symptom appraisal interval. Reduced knowledge of cancer symptoms and differences in symptom interpretation may contribute to this prolonged interval. In contrast, in the current study a possible association was found between increasing age and prompt help-seeking. Themes affecting help-seeking in older adults included the influence of family and carers, competing priorities, fear, embarrassment, fatalism, comorbidities, a desire to avoid doctors, a perceived need to not waste doctors’ time, and patient self-management of symptoms.ConclusionThis review suggests that increasing age is associated with delayed cancer symptom appraisal. When symptoms are recognised as potentially serious, increasing age was associated with prompt help-seeking although other factors could prolong this. Policymakers, charities, and GPs should aim to ensure older adults are able to recognise potential symptoms of cancer and seek help promptly.

Cervical cancer screening coverage and its related knowledge in southern Malawi

BackgroundCervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide and Malawi has the world’s highest rate of cervical cancer related mortality. Since 2016 the National CC Control Strategy has set a screening coverage target at 80% of 25-49-year-old women. The Ministry of Health and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) set up a CC program in Blantyre City, as a model for urban areas, and Chiradzulu District, as a model for rural areas. This population-based survey aimed to estimate CC screening coverage and to understand why women were or were not screened.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted in 2019. All resident consenting eligible women aged 25-49 years were interviewed (n = 1850) at households selected by two-stage cluster sampling. Screening and treatment coverage and facilitators and barriers to screening were calculated stratified by age, weighted for survey design. Chi square and design-based F tests were used to assess relationship between participant characteristics and screening status.ResultsThe percentage of women ever screened for CC was highest in Blantyre at 40.2% (95% CI 35.1-45.5), 38.9% (95% CI 32.8-45.4) in Chiradzulu with supported CC screening services, and lowest in Chiradzulu without supported CC screening services at 25.4% (95% CI 19.9-31.8). Among 623 women screened, 49.9% (95% CI 44.0-55.7) reported that recommendation in the health facility was the main reason they were screened and 98.5% (95% CI 96.3-99.4) recommended CC screening to others. Among 1227 women not screened, main barriers were lack of time (26.0%, 95% CI 21.9-30.6), and lack of motivation (18.3%, 95% CI 14.1-23.3). Overall, 95.6% (95% CI 93.6-97.0) of women reported that they had some knowledge about CC. Knowledge of CC symptoms was low at 34.4% (95% CI 31.0-37.9) and 55.1% (95% CI 51.0-59.1) of participants believed themselves to be at risk of CC.ConclusionMost of the survey population had heard about CC. Despite this knowledge, fewer than half of eligible women had been screened for CC. Reasons given for not attending screening can be addressed by programs. To significantly reduce mortality due to CC in Malawi requires a comprehensive health strategy that focuses on prevention, screening and treatment.

Factors influencing referral delay of cancer patients to an oncology unit in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Cancer treatment and prognosis depend heavily on early detection. Survival in the early stages is excellent for almost all types of cancer. Unfortunately, in Saudi Arabia, a large number of cancer patients present with advanced disease, resulting in a poor prognosis. There are three levels of delay in the management of cancer patients. The first level is the time between the first cancer-related symptoms and the presentation to the health facility, the second level is from the presentation to the diagnosis, and the third level is between the diagnosis and the treatment. This study aims to determine if there is a delay, at what level and to study the factors causing such delays. Materials and methods: Two hundred cancer patients who presented to the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Oncology Department, were interviewed from January 1st to June 30th, 2018. The interviews were conducted by trained physicians familiar with the questionnaire’s contents. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: a demographic section and three more sections to identify factors causing the delay at the three levels from the patients’ perspectives. All data were analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0. Results: The mean patient age was 63 years. A total of 112 patients were female and 88 were male. The most common cancer type was breast cancer (27.5%). Among the patients, 61% were illiterate and 25.5% had elementary school degrees, 86% expressed little or no general medical knowledge about cancer. More women than men paid attention to cancer symptoms (70% vs. 54%). 75% of the patients presented to the first health facility after 2 months from the first appearance of symptoms (level 1 delay). Only 2% of the patients presented within one week. 50% of the patients received a diagnosis after visiting two health facilities. All patients were diagnosed at hospitals. 40% of patients used alternative medicines, 70% of whom thought this was the cause of their delayed presentations. 67% had their diagnosis confirmed within one month (level 2 delay), and 66% started their definitive treatment within one month (level 3 delay). 75% of the patients blame themselves for the delay. Educational level (p = 0.03), knowledge about cancer (p &lt; 0.01), and the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with delayed presentation of patients to the health facility. Conclusion: There is a delay in the presentation of cancer patients (level 1) in the southern part of Saudi Arabia. Educational level, knowledge of cancer symptoms, and use of complementary and alternative medicines are the main causes. There were no delays in diagnosis and start of treatment (level 2,3).

Find Cancer Early: Evaluation of a Community Education Campaign to Increase Awareness of Cancer Signs and Symptoms in People in Regional Western Australians.

Cancer outcomes for people living in rural and remote areas are worse than for those living in urban areas. Although access to and quality of cancer treatment are important determinants of outcomes, delayed presentation has been observed in rural patients. Formative research with people from rural Western Australia (WA) led to the Find Cancer Early campaign. Find Cancer Early was delivered in three regions of WA, with two other regions acting as controls. Staff delivered the campaign using a community engagement approach, including promotion in local media. Television communications were not used to minimize contamination in the control regions. The campaign evaluation was undertaken at 20 months via a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey comparing campaign and control regions. The primary outcome variable was knowledge of cancer signs and symptoms. Recognition and recall of Find Cancer Early and symptom knowledge were higher in the campaign regions. More than a quarter of those who were aware of the campaign reported seeing the GP as a result of their exposure. Despite limited use of mass media, Find Cancer Early successfully improved knowledge of cancer symptoms and possibly led to changes in behavior. Social marketing campaigns using community development can raise awareness and knowledge of a health issue in the absence of television advertising.

Knowledge of cancer symptoms and anxiety affect patient delay in seeking diagnosis in patients with heterogeneous cancer locations

Purpose: This research was aimed at identifying factors that predict patient delay in treatment initiation in patients with suspected cancer disease. We sought to determine the differences between delaying and nondelaying patients with reference to their knowledge of cancer symptoms, sociodemographic variables, and the levels of state anxiety and trait anxiety. MethodsThe study involved 301 randomly selected patients with suspected cancer disease before their first oncology appointment at a regional oncology center in Poland. Data were collected by means of a semistructured interview conducted by a trained psychologist. To evaluate the knowledge of cancer symptoms, the symptoms mentioned by subjects were compared to the list of symptoms from cancer awareness measure. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. ResultsIn the course of logistic regression analysis a model was developed, in which knowledge of cancer symptoms and state anxiety allowed to predict patient delay. Knowledge of every additional cancer symptom decreased the chance of patient delay by 16.4% point [95% CI: 1.4–29.2]. An increase in state anxiety for every point of the scale decreased the chance of delay by 2.5% points [95% CI: 0.2–4.6]. Trait anxiety and the studied sociodemographic variables proved to be nonsignificant predictors of patient delay. ConclusionsKnowledge of cancer symptoms and the level of state anxiety allowed to predict patient delay in the initiation of treatment. Owing to the heterogeneity of the tumor locations within the sample, the obtained model can be used in large scale prevention programs designed for the whole population.

Awareness of Cancer Symptoms and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help Among Adult People Attending Primary Care Settings in Oman.

Objectives:To explore the public’s awareness of cancer symptoms and the barriers to seeking medical help among Omani adults attending primary care settings in Muscat governorate, the capital city of Oman.Methods:The Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) questionnaire (translated into Arabic) was used to collect data from a total of 12 randomly selected local health centers (LHCs) in Muscat governorate, the capital city of Oman. Omani adults aged 18 years and above attending LHCs during the study period were invited to participate in the study. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) was used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 999 participants completed the CAM questionnaire from 1200 invitations (response rate = 83%). The overall recognition of common cancer symptoms was less than 50% except for an unexplained lump/swelling, which was 71%. Multinomial logistic regression showed that women recognized more cancer symptoms than men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-2.51), that more highly educated participations recognized more cancer symptoms than less educated participants (OR = 39; 95% CI: 0.23-0.69). The majority of participants (91.2%) agreed that the right time to seek medical help for possible cancer symptom was within 2 weeks. Multinomial logistic regression showed that women rather than men were more likely to perceive barriers to seeking medical help (OR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.60-2.76). Also the less educated participants, rather than more educated, were more likely to perceive barriers to seeking medical help (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.16-4.05).Conclusion:Levels of awareness of cancer symptoms are low in Oman. More national CAMs are needed in Oman to increase public knowledge of cancer symptoms. Also, more public awareness is needed to overcome the barriers to seeking timely medical help particularly among groups of women and the unmarried, widowed, divorced, or separated if delays in presentation are to be minimized.

Low cancer suspicion following experience of a cancer ‘warning sign’

AimLower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a higher risk of late-stage cancer diagnosis. A number of explanations have been advanced for this, but one which has attracted recent attention is lower patient knowledge of cancer warning signs, leading to delay in help-seeking. However, although there is psychometric evidence of SES differences in knowledge of cancer symptoms, no studies have examined differences in ‘cancer suspicion’ among people who are actually experiencing a classic warning sign. MethodsA ‘health survey’ was mailed to 9771 adults (⩾50years, no cancer diagnosis) with a symptom list including 10 cancer ‘warning signs’. Respondents were asked if they had experienced any of the symptoms in the past 3months, and if so, were asked ‘what do you think caused it?’ Any mention of cancer was scored as ‘cancer suspicion’. SES was indexed by education. ResultsNearly half the respondents (1732/3756) had experienced a ‘warning sign’, but only 63/1732 (3.6%) mentioned cancer as a possible cause. Lower education was associated with lower likelihood of cancer suspicion: 2.6% of respondents with school-only education versus 7.3% with university education suspected cancer as a possible cause. In multivariable analysis, low education was the only demographic variable independently associated with lower cancer suspicion (odds ratio (OR)=0.34, confidence interval (CI): 0.20–0.59). ConclusionLevels of cancer suspicion were low overall in this community sample, and even lower in people from less educated backgrounds. This may hinder early symptomatic presentation and contribute to inequalities in stage at diagnosis.

Knowledge and Beliefs of Malaysian Adolescents Regarding Cancer

Few studies have explored the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents toward cancer prevention and treatment. This lack of research and its potential utility in the development of new educational initiatives and screening methods, or the reconstruction of existing ones, provided the impetus for this study. The primary research aim was to assess secondary school student knowledge of cancer and determine whether or not they possessed basic knowledge of cancer symptoms, risk factors, and treatments and to determine the relationship between cancer knowledge and key demographic factors. The Management and Science University conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing responses through cross-tabulation with the socio-demographic data collected. The findings of our quantitative analysis suggest that Malaysian youth generally possess a moderate knowledge about cancer. Quantitative analyses found that socioeconomic inequalities and bias in education present as important factors contributing to cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment among Malaysian adolescents. The findings indicate that Malaysian youth generally possess a moderate knowledge about cancer but the current deficiencies in initiatives directed to cancer awareness continue to hinder the improvement in prevention of cancer among Malaysian adolescents.

Factors associated with a positive attitude towards receiving cancer information: a population-based study in Spain.

It is necessary to raise a positive attitude towards cancer information to improve disease prevention and control. To identify social factors, health characteristics and cancer-related perceptions and knowledge associated with a positive attitude towards cancer information. We ran multivariate logistic regression models to analyse population-based data from OncoBarómetro-2010, a Spanish representative survey on perceptions and knowledge, related to cancer, conducted among 7938 people aged 18 years or more. Attitudes towards cancer information. A positive attitude includes feeling motivated to keep informed, to have screening tests or to change lifestyle. A negative attitude includes feeling indifference, concern, frustration or fear. 38.3% of the studied population reported having received information related to cancer (within the last 6 months). Among those, 31.5% expressed a negative attitude towards cancer information. People more likely to have a positive attitude towards cancer information (reference category: negative attitude) were people aged 35-74 (ref: aged 18-34) (P < 0.001) and cancer survivors (ref: those who had not had cancer) (OR: 3.05; 95% CI: 1.73-5.38). The likelihood of a positive attitude increased with the level of education (P < 0.001). The variables negatively associated with a positive attitude towards cancer information were poor self-rated health status (ref: fair) (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42-0.95) and high self-perceived risk of developing cancer (ref: low) (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60-0.92). These findings have potential to inform programmes designed to promote cancer prevention behaviours. Policies should target population groups with low socio-economic groups, those with poor self-rated health and individuals with high self-perceived risk of cancer. Further, in order to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, we need to focus on individuals with unhealthy lifestyles.

Breast Cancer Knowledge among Women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Implication for Women Breast Cancer Education

Background Breast cancer mortality rate is increasing among women in developing countries a condition that might be brought about by lack of knowledge of fundamental elements necessary for cancer prevention. Purpose To ascertain level of breast cancer knowledge across some socio-demographic variables among women in Ebonyi State Nigeria Method A total sample of 1,845 women was used for the study selected through multistage sampling technique. A 40-items questionnaire eliciting answers on knowledge of cancer symptoms, risk factors, prevention methods and cancer treatment options was used for the study. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage were used to answer the research question while Chi-square statistic was used to test the hypotheses at an alpha level of 0.05. Results Knowledge of breast cancer was found to be on the average (48.72%); differed by age with younger women(35-44 yrs/56.43%) displayed higher knowledge of breast cancer than the older ones (45-54/46.03%); women with post-secondary education (67.66%) had higher knowledge than those with secondary (60.16%), primary (49.03%) and non-formal education (39.01%); urban women (55.61%) were more knowledgeable than rural women (47.81%). Chi-square analysis indicated that difference in knowledge was significant for educational attainment,age and location of residence. Conclusion Breast cancer knowledge of women in Ebonyi State is on the average and differed significantly by education,age and location of women. Consequent it is recommended that breast cancer education should be used to improve their knowledge of the disease, especially for those with non-formal education, older women and those in the rural areas through interventions by government and non-governmental agencies and through curriculumrevision for schools.

Associations between reporting of cancer alarm symptoms and socioeconomic and demographic determinants: a population-based, cross-sectional study

BackgroundReporting of symptoms which may signal cancer is the first step in the diagnostic pathway of cancer diseases. Cancer alarm symptoms are common in the general population. Public awareness and knowledge of cancer symptoms are sparse, however, and many people do not seek medical help when having possible cancer symptoms. As social inequality is associated with cancer knowledge, cancer awareness, and information-seeking, our hypothesis is that social inequality may also exist in the general population with respect to reporting of cancer alarm symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between socioeconomic and demographic determinants and reporting of common cancer alarm symptoms.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed based on a stratified sample of the Danish general population. A total of 13 777 randomly selected persons aged 20 years and older participated. Our main outcome measures were weighted prevalence estimates of self-reporting one of the following cancer alarm symptoms during the preceding 12 months: a lump in the breast, coughing for more than 6 weeks, seen blood in urine, or seen blood in stool. Logistic regression models were used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the associations between each covariate and reporting of cancer alarm symptoms.ResultsA total of 2 098 (15.7%) of the participants reported one or more cancer alarm symptoms within the preceding 12 months.Women, subjects out of the workforce, and subjects with a cancer diagnosis had statistically significantly higher odds of reporting one or more cancer alarm symptoms. Subjects with older age and subjects living with a partner had lower odds of reporting one or more cancer alarm symptoms. When analysing the four alarm symptoms of cancer separately most tendencies persisted.ConclusionsSocioeconomic and demographic determinants are associated with self-reporting of common cancer alarm symptoms.

Patient Delay in Presentation of Possible Cancer Symptoms: The Contribution of Knowledge and Attitudes in a Population Sample from the United Kingdom

Qualitative studies implicate knowledge of cancer symptoms and attitudes towards help-seeking as important factors in patient delay. The present study uses quantitative data from a population-based survey to test the hypotheses that (a) a greater knowledge of early cancer symptoms is associated with a higher likelihood of having appraised a symptom as possibly due to cancer, and (b) more negative attitudes towards help-seeking are associated with a lower likelihood of having sought medical advice for that symptom. Two thousand and seventy-one adults were asked whether they had experienced a symptom that they worried might be cancer in the past 3 months, and if so, whether they had seen a doctor. Respondents also completed the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) assessing symptom knowledge and barriers to help-seeking. Two hundred and thirty-six (11.4%) respondents reported having experienced a possible cancer symptom. In logistic regression analyses controlling for age, sex, and self-rated health, higher CAM symptom knowledge scores were associated with a greater likelihood of having experienced a possible cancer symptom (odds ratio = 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.17). Of those who had experienced a symptom, 75% (177/236) had seen a doctor. Higher scores on the CAM barriers scale were associated with being less likely to have seen a doctor (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.87). Better knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer might help people recognize possible cancer symptoms and therefore reduce appraisal delay, whereas more positive attitudes towards help-seeking might reduce behavioral delay. Campaigns to educate the public about cancer symptoms and reduce help-seeking barriers could play a role in promoting early diagnosis.

Promoting Knowledge of Cancer Prevention and Screening in an Underserved Hispanic Women Population

This article aims to measure the baseline knowledge of cancer prevention, screening, and early detection practices, to understand the barriers to cancer screening and sources of health information; and to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive education program in an underserved Hispanic women population. A total of 180 women participated. Pre- and postsurveys were administered. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze the impact of program on knowledge and to determine factors affecting learning. Results showed Significant overall improvement in knowledge of cancer symptoms (1.85 baseline vs. 3.67 postintervention, p < .001), knowledge of risk-reducing behaviors (2.71 vs. 4.81, p < .001); and effect on planned behavior (89% planned to follow screening guidelines). Higher incomes and younger age are associated with better learning. Major barriers to cancer screening were financial limitations and lack of knowledge. The intervention was effective in promoting awareness and knowledge of cancer screening and prevention. Programs aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality should recognize the importance of cultural sensitivity and facilitating access to screening tests.

Lack of awareness of oesophageal carcinoma among the public in Ireland

Oesophageal cancer is advanced in the majority at presentation and its symptoms are usually present for many months suggesting poor awareness of its symptoms. Few studies have examined awareness of oesophageal cancer amongst the public. This study aimed to identify the level of awareness among the general public of oesophageal cancer, of its symptoms, of its awareness campaigns and to compare it with other common cancers. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 279 members of the public. People were asked about their awareness of a range of cancers, and their knowledge of cancer symptoms and cancer awareness campaigns. Awareness of oesophageal cancer was low and knowledge of its symptoms was even lower. Despite the efforts of awareness campaigns, knowledge of these campaigns was poor amongst the public. Awareness of oesophageal cancer and its symptoms is low amongst the public. This needs to be addressed if disease is to be detected at an earlier and curable stage.

Passive cancer detection and medical help seeking for cancer symptoms: (in)adequate behavior and psychosocial determinants

The present study explored the performance and psychosocial determinants of passive cancer detection behavior, that is, attentiveness to cancer symptoms, and medical help seeking, and investigated potential dependency between these two behaviors. A detailed telephone survey was conducted among 459 respondents, aged 55 years or older. The survey assessed passive detection behavior and appropriately timed medical help seeking, regarding 14 cancer symptoms. Knowledge of cancer symptoms and various other psychosocial determinants were also measured. Knowledge of cancer symptoms and adequate passive detection behavior was low to moderate. Timely medical help-seeking behavior was low to moderate for urgent symptoms but relatively high for prolonged symptoms. Overall, women had higher knowledge levels, paid more attention to cancer symptoms, and performed more timely help seeking than men. Passive detection behavior was positively associated with premotivational awareness factors (knowledge and awareness), female gender, and perceived advantages. Timely medical help seeking was positively related to cognitive motivational factors (perceived advantages, self-efficacy expectations, and intention) and negatively related to educational level and perceived susceptibility to cancer. Furthermore, a strong positive association was found between the performance of passive detection behavior and timely medical help seeking. The suboptimal levels of knowledge and performance of early cancer detection behaviors found in this study emphasize a need for educational efforts in the area of early cancer detection. The effectiveness of these efforts may benefit from considering the distinct sets of determinants of passive detection behavior and medical help seeking.