Appalachian knowledge of cancer and screening intentions.
BACKGROUND
This cross-sectional study was designed to assess levels of knowledge about cancer and behavioral intentions regarding cancer screening from a representative sample of adults residing in 51 Appalachian counties in Kentucky.


METHODS
A random-digit-dialed telephone survey obtained 696 interviews and provided a 4% margin of error.


RESULTS
Findings showed that knowledge of cancer screening was generally low and uniform by age and educational attainment. Logistic regression models demonstrated that possessing insurance was an important predictor of those likely to obtain cancer screening.


CONCLUSIONS
Having a family history of breast cancer or a family history of prostate cancer were not significant predictors for obtaining mammograms or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
Royse
David
D
College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0027, USA. droyse@ uky.edu
Dignan
Mark
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001061:Appalachian Region; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic