Cancer as perceived by a middle-aged Jewish urban population in Israel.
OBJECTIVE
To identify beliefs and attitudes of a Jewish urban population in Israel regarding cancer, in the context of the present medical knowledge among lay populations.


METHODS
Qualitative analysis of focus groups.


METHODS
Israel.


METHODS
Men and women aged 50 years and older from the larger Tel-Aviv (Israel) metropolitan area.


METHODS
Nine focus group discussions were conducted including 41 men and 41 women. A structured discussion guide was developed to ensure that the groups were facilitated consistently. The discussions were transcribed verbatim.


RESULTS
Medical knowledge expressed in the focus groups was high. Cancer was regarded as many distinct diseases, each one with different chances of early detection and cure. Breast cancer and skin cancer were regarded as diseases from which the chances of recovery were high, compared to colon cancer, which was regarded as fatal. Both traditional fatalistic beliefs and views regarding cancer as a chronic disease were expressed. Genetics was expressed as having a fatalistic role and as prompting early detection. Participants expressed great fear of cancer, particularly fear of treatments and death.


CONCLUSIONS
The process of incorporating knowledge and experience into the present belief system of this Jewish, urban, middle-aged population has not eliminated barriers to early detection.


CONCLUSIONS
The notion of cancer as a chronic disease should be promoted. Interventions aimed at forming more positive attitudes toward colon cancer are needed to increase adherence to screening recommendations. Healthcare providers and the media should try to decrease fear of cancer treatments in general.
Baron-Epel
Orna
O
School of Public Health, Haifa University in Israel. ornaepel@research.haifa.ac.il
Klin
Anat
A
D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population