What causes cancer? Reports from sixth-grade girls.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated students' perception of cancer causation among sixth-grade girls living in Wisconsin.


METHODS
We asked female students to list up to 3 causes of cancer in a cross-sectional health survey.


RESULTS
A total of 141 answers were given by 53 students. The most frequently listed causes of cancer were cigarette smoking (91%), drugs (32%), an unhealthy diet (25%), and heredity (25%). Less than 10% of students listed other potentially modifiable risk factors such as exercise, sun exposure, or alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Students in this study appeared to link a range of high-risk behaviors with health consequences, although the specific health risks may not be understood.
Nichols
Hazel B
HB
The University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, USA.
Trentham-Dietz
Amy
A
Newcomb
Polly A
PA
Yanke
Lucinda
L
Remington
Patrick L
PL
Love
Richard R
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin