Cancer related knowledge and behavior among women across various socio-economic strata: A study from Delhi, India.
BACKGROUND
Cancer is predicted to be an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in the next few decades worldwide. One important step in reducing the burden of morbidity and mortality from cancers is awareness among the population about the causes and prevention of cancers.


OBJECTIVE
To study the knowledge and preventive behavior regarding common cancers among the women from an area of Delhi, India.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Four purposively selected residential areas representing various socio-economic strata, in North-East Delhi.


METHODS
One thousand two hundred and six women in the age group 18-60 years.


METHODS
Proportions, Chi-square test.


RESULTS
Majority of the women (43.9%) were graduates while 10.4% were illiterate. The awareness about breast cancer was maximum with 73.8% of the respondents being aware about it. The proportions of women aware about the other cancers were low. Only 52 (4.3%) had ever been for a preventive check-up for cancer. The most common cancer checkup for which the respondents reported visiting a hospital was, breast cancer. Among the respondents, 46 (3.8%) reported having a female member in their family who ever had cancer. Five hundred and seventy seven (47.8%) had not seen any message regarding cancers common in females in any mass media. Women with a higher education level, having a female family member with cancer, and those who could recall mass media message regarding cancers, were significantly more likely to have had a preventive cancer checkup for self.


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge and actual preventive behavior about cancers was found to be low among the women. Increased mass media exposure and targeted strategies can possibly increase the awareness and the cancer-related health behavior among the women.
Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
Rahul
R
Sharma
Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
Sanjiv K
SK
Bhasin
Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
Sandeep
S
Agrawal
Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
Reeti
R
Tewari
Behavior; cancer; knowledge; women