Public perceptions of cancer prevention, screening, and survival: comparison with state-of-science evidence for colon, skin, and lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Lay understanding of cancer prevention, screening, and survival may influence health behavior and health outcomes.


METHODS
Data were from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). In our analyses, we describe population (N = 5586) beliefs about cancer prevention, detection, and survival for colon, lung, and skin cancer and compare beliefs with state-of-science evidence. We examined differences by sociodemographic subgroups.


RESULTS
A majority of respondents responded consistently with state-of-science evidence in prevention for colon (78.2%), lung (81.2%), and skin cancer (83.5%). Respondents' perceptions of screening for colon cancer were generally consistent with state-of-science evidence (89.9%); however, fewer respondents' responded consistently with state-of-science in screening for lung (12.6%) and skin cancer (11.9%). Finally, respondents' estimates of survival/cure of colon (66.2%) and skin cancer (63.6%) were consistent with state-of-the-science evidence in survival; however, a minority of respondents' estimates of lung cancer survival (17.3%) were consistent with state-of-science. Sociodemographic associates of state-of-science consistent responses included younger age, greater education, and White race.


CONCLUSIONS
Public knowledge of cancer prevention, screening, and survival varies by type of cancer, levels of evidence, and sociodemographic factors. These findings provide an evidence base for improving public awareness and understanding of cancer prevention, screening, and survival.
Rutten
Lila Finney
LF
Division of Cancer Control and Population Science, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA. lila.j.rutten@healthpartners.com
Hesse
Bradford W
BW
Moser
Richard P
RP
McCaul
Kevin D
KD
Rothman
Alexander J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010465:Perception; D011634:Public Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult