title: Quantitative evaluation of an information leaflet to increase prompt help-seeking for gynaecological cancer symptoms.
abstract: Provision of written information may improve awareness of cancer symptoms and encourage timely presentation in primary care. This study assessed changes in symptom knowledge, perceived barriers to help-seeking, anxiety and intention to seek help, following exposure to a leaflet to raise awareness of gynaecological cancer symptoms.
  
  
  
  Women (N = 484) completed questionnaires before and after reading the leaflet. The primary outcome was change in anticipated time to help-seeking for 12 symptoms. Changes in symptom knowledge, barriers and anxiety, and their association with prompt help-seeking were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  
  After reading the leaflet, symptom knowledge increased (p < 0.001), and perceived barriers (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.008) decreased. The number of symptoms for which women anticipated seeking help promptly increased (p < 0.001). Changes in knowledge (OR 4.21, 95 % CI 1.95-9.13) and perceived barriers (OR 4.60, 95 % CI 1.91-11.04) were independently associated with increased help-seeking.
  
  
  
  Increased symptom knowledge and lowered perceived barriers were related to increased prompt anticipated help-seeking. This occurred without an increase in anxiety. This intervention is effective in altering knowledge, beliefs and help-seeking intentions for gynaecological cancer symptoms, at least in the short-term, and should be trialled in primary care.
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.|Present address: Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Friedemann Smith
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boxell
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardle
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.|Present address: Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK. j.waller@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety; Barriers; Early diagnosis; Gynaecological cancer; Help-seeking; Knowledge; Leaflet