title: Obtaining information about cancer: prevalence and preferences among Japanese adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Providing information about cancer prevention might increase awareness of prevention and promote preventive behaviours. A better understanding about the prevalence and preferences of obtaining information about cancer might help to identify targeted individuals and design effective strategies for promoting cancer-preventive behaviours. Thus, the present study examined the prevalence and correlates of obtaining information about cancer among Japanese adults, and described preferences including source and content.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analysed for 3,058 Japanese adults (mean age 45.0 ± 13.4 years) who responded to an Internet-based cross-sectional survey. The data included whether information about cancer had been obtained, sources, preference for content, sociodemographic variables, health status, and cancer histories. Force-entry logistic regression analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 46.7% of respondents had obtained information about cancer. Gender, age, and education level were statistically significant correlates of doing so. Women were more likely to obtain information (OR = 1.97) as were older age groups (40-49: OR = 1.54, 50-59: OR = 2.27, 60-69: OR = 3.83), those with higher education (2 years college or equivalent degree: OR = 1.31, college graduate or higher: OR = 1.48) and those with having cancer histories (personal: OR = 3.52, family: OR = 1.57, friends/co-worker: OR = 2.09). The most prevalent source of information about cancer was mass media. Content of prevention is most needed among inconsistent contents with the frequently obtained contents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Less than half of the respondents information about cancer. The finding suggests that better health communication strategies would be necessary to inform Japanese people about cancer. Understanding which subgroups were less likely to obtain information and preferences of information might be effective in promoting cancer prevention.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan. rina_miyawaki@akane.waseda.jp.
authors.forename: Rina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miyawaki
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. shibata@taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan. ishiikaori@aoni.waseda.jp.
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan. koka@waseda.jp.
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires