Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-6-28
pubmed:abstractText
Awareness of risk factors for five common cancers was assessed in a representative sample of 3 693 adults in the UK. Respondents were presented with a risk of 14 factors comprising 10 which have established links with various cancers (older age, many sexual partners, low fibre diet, smoking, a relative with the cancer, low fruit and vegetable diet, taking HRT/the contraceptive pill, being overweight, viruses or infection, and a high fat diet) and four so-called "mythic" causes (food additives, overhead power lines, pollution, stress). Out of 15 well-established associations between risk factors and cancers, the average number correctly identified was 5. Women and those with higher levels of education got more correct. Endorsement of mythic causes was comparatively low (less than 5% for most cancers), but were higher in men and those with less education. These results are somewhat reassuring in relation to the prevalence of erroneous beliefs, but raise considerable concern about public understanding of well established causes. Better health education will be needed to maximise public awareness of cancer prevention.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0033-3506
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
115
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
173-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Awareness of risk factors for cancer among British adults.
pubmed:affiliation
ICRF Health Behaviour Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 2-16 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK. j.wardle@ucl.ac.uk
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article